Mike Johnson faces crucial vote today as fate of US speaker & House remains uncertain

US Speaker of the House Mike Johson’s grip over power will be tested on Friday amid mounting opposition from his own Republican Party. Despite receiving an endorsement from US President-elect Donald Trump, Johnson is facing challenges from the Republican leaders who are planning to derail his re-election bid.

While the GOP holds a razor-thin 219-215 in the House of Representatives, Johnson can afford to lose only one vote. The pro-Trump leader has already crossed the threshold after Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie publicly declared his intention to vote against the incumbent speaker. The 52-year-old assumed speakership following the historic ousting of Johnson’s predecessor Kevin McCarthy last year. However, in his brief time in the office, Johnson caught himself appeasing and finding a balance between hardline conservatives and maintaining functional governance.

Johnson attracted enemies after his decision to work with Democrats across the aisle to provide billions of dollars to Ukraine, which is currently embroiled in a war against Russia. According to The Guardian, the move bothered both the GOP’s “libertarian” and far-right flank. “I don’t know how to say this without cussing,” Massie told reporters when asked about supporting Johnson. “If they thought I had no Fs to give before, I definitely have no Fs to give now," he added.

Johnson navigates through a faction war

Johnson was able to secure the office of the speaker after he received support from some Democratic Party leaders when McCarthy was ousted. If he fails to secure a majority this time around, the House will again hit the state of paralysis until a new speaker is elected. It is pertinent to note that without a speaker, no business will proceed in the House.

There has been brewing rebellion within the GOP despite Trump’s strong grip in the congress. While on Monday, Trump offered a “Complete & Total Endorsement” of Johnson, the support did little to cool down the overall dissent among the Republicans. As of now, Trump was able to sway some Republicans like one-time sceptic Texas representative Troy Nehls. But other prominent non-committal Republicans like Arizona representative Andy Biggs, Pennsylvania’s Scott Perry and Chip Roy of Texas are yet to sway in Johnson’s favour.

According to Axios, the chair of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus, Andy Harris of Maryland, and Tennessee representative Tim Burchett are also still undecided whether they will support Johnson this time or not. Another notable mum is from the Colorado Republican Lauren Boebert, who last May reasoned that “it makes no difference to me” who becomes House speaker because she insisted that the Democrats end up getting their agendas passed in any scenario.

Meanwhile, the Indiana Republican Victoria Spartz demanded “assurances [Johnson] won’t sell us out to the swamp” in a post on X before pledging her support. Interestingly, the situation mirrors the chaos that the House was engulfed in last October when his removal led to infighting within the Repunlican Party and Johnson was once again chosen as a compromise candidate.

Some Republicans are also raising alarms that opposing Johnson could strengthen the position of the Democratic leader, Hakeem Jeffries, position and potentially disrupt the upcoming electoral college certification.

With inputs from agencies.