Mike Johnson's House Speaker Job Now in Jeopardy as Backlash Against Massive Spending Bill Grows: Report

House Speaker Mike Johnson’s position may be at risk following his support for a substantial end-of-year spending package.

Congressional leaders reached a bipartisan agreement to fund the government through March 14 via a continuing resolution (CR). However, several provisions were added, resulting in a roughly 1,500-page bill. These additions include $100 billion for disaster relief, $30 billion allocated for farmers, funds for rebuilding Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, and a significant pay raise for lawmakers.

Without decisive action, the federal government could face a shutdown at midnight on Friday.

Initially, several conservative Republicans voiced opposition to the CR, joined by Elon Musk, co-chair of the Department of Government Efficiency, and later, President-elect Donald Trump.

“Any member of the House or Senate who votes for this outrageous spending bill deserves to be voted out in 2 years!” Musk declared Wednesday on the social media platform X.

Conservatives are pushing for a “clean” CR that excludes additional provisions.

Trump, in a post on Truth Social, emphasized his preference for retaining disaster relief and farmer support while rejecting what he called “Democrat giveaways.”

“If Democrats threaten to shut down the government unless we give them everything they want, then CALL THEIR BLUFF,” Trump urged.

Fox News reported that Johnson’s role in brokering the deal with the Democrat-controlled Senate has led to discussions about potential replacements when the House reconvenes to vote on January 3.

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota, House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan of Ohio, and Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida have all been named as possible contenders. The same names were floated in the fall of 2023 before Johnson secured a unanimous vote to succeed Kevin McCarthy, who was ousted for making a similar spending deal with Democrats.

However, Fox cited a source close to Jordan, who stated that he is “not interested in challenging Johnson.”

Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky was the first Republican to publicly announce he would not support Johnson’s re-election as speaker.

Given the GOP’s narrow five-seat majority in the House, Johnson can afford to lose only a few votes and still retain his position.

Politico reported that Johnson is considering a backup plan to propose a “clean” CR, leaving disaster relief funding and other contentious items to be addressed after Republicans take full control of Congress next month.

The outlet also noted that as of Wednesday afternoon, “dozens” of Republicans had declared opposition to the current proposal.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, as reported by The Hill, said Democrats would not back a clean CR.

“You break the bipartisan agreement, you own the consequences that follow,” he stated in a post on X.

Musk celebrated what he described as a victory on Wednesday afternoon, posting, “Your elected representatives have heard you and now the terrible bill is dead.”

“The voice of the people has triumphed!” Musk proclaimed. “VOX POPULI VOX DEI [Latin for The voice of the people is the voice of God].”