Johnson, Border, Budget, Ukraine.
“All eyes are on Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).
Following a Wednesday meeting at the White House with President Biden and other congressional leaders, pressure is mounting on Johnson to accept an expected deal on Ukraine funding and border security. Security experts briefed Johnson and other leaders about the dire situation faced by Ukraine, warning national security is at risk without action by Congress. But Johnson said after the Wednesday meeting that his position on a border deal has not changed. ”
Budget battles were inevitable with the GOP gaining control of the House. However, the Freedom Caucus’ influence has been inexplicably diminished and holding the chamber hostage to win concessions is not in the playbook. Speaker Johnson is certainly a far right extremist but has an eye towards public perception outside the hard right base and that translates into keeping the government open. For some in the GOP that is too much to ask, particularity because the far right wants to remove the government from public life.
