Mike Johnson’s Spending Bill Postponed After House GOP Backlash

September 13, 2024

United States Capitol building with surrounding trees.

Mike Johnson’s spending bill faces significant pushback from within his own party, revealing deep-seated discord among House Republicans.

At a Glance

House Speaker Mike Johnson faces opposition to his government funding plan ahead of the Oct. 1 deadline.
At least five GOP lawmakers oppose Johnson’s six-month spending plan.
Johnson’s proposal includes the SAVE Act that faces significant opposition.
Johnson postponed the vote to avoid a government shutdown and aims to build consensus.

House GOP Backlash Against Spending Bill

Speaker Mike Johnson encountered significant opposition as he attempted to push forward a spending bill, resulting in a delay of the scheduled vote. This opposition comes ahead of the Oct. 1 deadline to avert a potential government shutdown. Johnson’s proposal, which included a six-month stopgap funding measure extending federal funding through March 28, was met with skepticism by House Republicans following their summer recess. The Speaker pulled the vote on Wednesday as a result of the GOP divide.

The bill includes the SAVE Act, requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote. This provision led to substantial opposition, including from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who described it as a “poison pill.” Johnson now faces the challenging task of addressing the intra-party rifts to progress the bill and avoid economic fallout.

GOP rebellion puts Mike Johnson's spending plan on notice https://t.co/3fp5XTA3sg

— Axios (@axios) September 10, 2024

Challenges and Key Opponents

At least five GOP lawmakers have expressed their opposition to Johnson’s six-month spending plan. The hard-line conservatives, such as Rep. Thomas Massie, criticized the proposal for maintaining current spending levels, which they deem too high. Additionally, defense hawks, like Rep. Mike D. Rogers, oppose the plan for effectively cutting military spending by extending current funding levels instead of allowing planned increases.

“No vote today, because we’re in the consensus building business here in Congress with small majorities,” Johnson stated. This exemplifies the significant challenges he faces in securing the needed votes to pass the bill, given the Democrats’ unified opposition and Republicans’ internal discord.

Speaker Mike Johnson halts 'must-pass' spending bill vote as GOP hardliners revolt: reporthttps://t.co/MdedoJz2X2

— Raw Story (@RawStory) September 11, 2024

Internal GOP Rebellion

The rebellion extends beyond the SAVE Act. Former President Donald Trump urged Republicans to shut down the government unless they received assurances on election security. Rep. Cory Mills and other Republicans shared Trump’s concerns, further complicating Johnson’s efforts. Johnson can only afford to lose four GOP votes due to the narrow margin in the House, making these dissenting voices particularly consequential.

“That’s what you do. We’re having thoughtful conversations and family conversations within the Republican conference, and I believe we’ll get there,” Johnson remarked. This highlights his commitment to securing consensus within his party, despite the evident challenges.

The Path Forward

Johnson remains optimistic about reaching a resolution. “No one should worry—I believe we can get this job done,” he told Axios. However, in light of Rep. Joe Wilson’s hospitalization and the increasing polarization within his party, the road ahead appears daunting. The opposition comprises notable figures like Reps. Beth Van Duyne, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Jim Banks, each vocal about their reservations concerning national security and fiscal policies.

Speaking about the urgency, Johnson emphasized the need to work through the weekend to secure an agreement. The $1.6 trillion proposal is on shaky ground, facing a deadline that pushes Congress to its limits. Both Johnson and the broader Republican leadership now face the pressing task of building consensus to avert a government shutdown.