In the midst of a critical juncture in American history, allies of House of Representatives Republican leader, Speaker Mike Johnson, are calling on former President Donald Trump to reassert his support for Johnson.
This move is seen as a strategic attempt to avert a potentially chaotic contest for the speakership in the upcoming year, as reported by The Independent.
The urgency of this appeal is underscored by the potential implications of a divided support base for the speakership. If other candidates for the position gain substantial backing in the aftermath of the recent spending bill conflict, it could potentially delay the certification of the president-elect's victory. The silence from Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence since Friday's vote on a continuing resolution to fund the federal government until mid-March has only heightened the tension, casting a shadow over Johnson's future.
Florida Republican congressman Carlos Gimenez outlined a possible scenario to Fox News Digital, stating, If we have some kind of protracted fight where we cant elect a speaker the speakers not elected; were not sworn in. And if were not sworn in, we cant certify the election. Gimenez expressed his hope that Trump would intervene and encourage those who are hesitant, emphasizing the need for swift action.
Gimenez's sentiments are echoed by Republican Rep. Pat Fallon of Texas, who suggested that a public endorsement from Trump would be "immensely helpful." Fallon even proposed a scenario where Johnson could spend Christmas at Mar-a-Lago with Trump, a move he believes would send a powerful message.
The urgency of these appeals is further amplified by the tight timeline for electing the speaker after the holiday season. Lawmakers are set to return to Washington, D.C. for a vote on the speakership on January 3, 2025, followed by a meeting on January 6 to certify the results of the 2024 election.
The Republican party's apprehension is understandable, given the drawn-out battles that characterized the elections of the previous two speakers. Kevin McCarthy's election in early 2023 involved 15 rounds of votes and nearly resulted in physical altercations among lawmakers. McCarthy's tenure was short-lived, as he was ousted in October of the same year following a motion to vacate by Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida. The House was in a state of uncertainty for three weeks until Johnson was finally elected.
Last week's conflict over the spending bill has further complicated matters. One of Johnson's most vocal critics, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, has already declared that he will not vote for Johnson as speaker in the new year. This declaration hints at a potential replay of the 2023 scenario and further tarnishes the party's reputation for internal discord.
Several lawmakers have distanced themselves from Johnson, and alternative candidates have been suggested, including Tom Emmer, Byron Donalds, Jim Jordan, and even Elon Musk, despite the fact that the speaker does not need to be a member of Congress.
Johnson's position hangs in the balance, with a slim margin of three votes needed to retain his role as speaker. Democrats have indicated that they will not intervene to save his speakership again, making Trump's support crucial. The challenge for Johnson is to convince the 38 Republican lawmakers who voted against the president-elect's preferred spending bill to support him, even with Trump's endorsement. This task is likely to be a significant concern for the speaker as he navigates the political landscape in the coming weeks.
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