House Speaker Mike Johnson said Friday he would not back away from a controversial spending deal to avoid a government shutdown, which several members of the chamber oppose.
Prime Minister Johnson announced on Sunday that he had agreed with other parliamentary party leaders on a $1.59 trillion spending package for the 2024 fiscal year. attacked He was criticized by members of the House Freedom Caucus as insufficiently conservative.After negotiations with opposition members, Johnson announced On Friday, he said he supported the deal despite lawmakers threatening to remove him over the issue. (Related: House of Commons Conservative tanky rule vote hits Speaker Mike Johnson)
“Our top-line agreement remains,” Johnson told reporters, adding: “We are finalizing the next steps and we are working towards a robust spending process.” Please look forward to the future content. ” His announcement comes as he considers withdrawing from the agreement at the behest of dissident Republicans who left the party on Wednesday in opposition to Republican-backed rules governing passage of the bill this week, leading to his defeat. This was done in response to reports that
Prime Minister Boris Johnson's written comments said “we remain committed” to the top-line spending agreement.He changed it to “Topline agreement remains.” pic.twitter.com/aWy7fHc9Bb
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) January 12, 2024
On Thursday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson did not deny he was reconsidering the deal. “I'm not making any promises,” he said. Said After several meetings with House Republican dissidents in the speaker's office, it continued on the House floor. observed From the chamber's gallery, by the Daily Caller News Foundation.
The agreement between Prime Minister Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is an agreement negotiated in May 2023 between President Joe Biden and then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy regarding 2024 and 2025 budget levels. This follows. That agreement was embodied in the Fiscal Responsibility Act. opposed The bill is written by 71 House Republicans, some of whom continue to oppose the 2024 budget and demand further spending cuts.
“Democrats will not support including poison pill policy changes in any of the 12 spending bills.” Said Mr. Schumer outlined the nature of the deal, but the legislative text has not yet been released. “Not a nickel was cut,” he later said of its contents.
“We have achieved a strong top-line agreement.'' House Speaker Mike Johnson is confident the spending deal will stand despite pushback from hardline Republicans. pic.twitter.com/KV9W4VMKbi
— USA TODAY Video (@usatodayvideo) January 12, 2024
Anti-establishment Republicans have suggested they may seek to remove Mr. Johnson from office using a “motion to vacate the chair'' over the deal. The measure was last used by Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz to remove Mr. McCarthy from office in October with the support of seven Republicans and all House Democrats, giving him a three-week An election process was held and the three top candidates achieved a majority. Party Leader Steve Scalise, Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan and Majority Chairman Tom Emmer all lost their seats before Mr. Johnson was elected.
One of the dissidents, Republican Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, said Tuesday that “this is not on the table,” adding, “The speaker needs to know that we are angry about this.” I think so,” he added. [the deal]” A spokesperson for Tennessee Republican Rep. Tim Burchett told DCNF he is “still considering” whether to support removing Johnson from office.
“I'm a hardline conservative,” Johnson said in his defense. “This is the best agreement conservatives and Republicans can get under the circumstances,” he said.
The federal government will partially shut down on January 19th unless the necessary spending bills are signed into law.
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