Speaker Johnson Faces Conservative Rebellion Over FY24 Deal

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) indicated to reporters yesterday that he has softened his formerly concrete opposition to another Continuing Resolution (CR) to avoid a government shutdown on Jan 20.

• Johnson’s pivot comes amid a potential conservative mutiny over a lack of cuts in the FY2024 topline spending deal Johnson negotiated with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
• Top GOP appropriator Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) warned that a CR will likely be required due to the time squeeze: “...time is ticking away very rapidly, and I am concerned that we have an awful lot of work to do prior to Jan. 19...”
• Conventional wisdom states that a government shutdown in an election year would be negative for the GOP but whether Johnson can successfully navigate a CR without prompting the same rebellion which led to the ouster of his predecessor Kevin McCarthy is unclear.
• A Republican lawmaker (notably not a Freedom Caucus member), told Punchbowl News: “As much as there was valid criticism and frustration with [McCarthy], [Johnson] is struggling to grow into the job and is just getting rolled even more than McCarthy did.”
• Note: Johnson would have to legislate a CR via suspension – the same mechanism McCarthy used to legislate his CR with a bipartisan majority.
• The House Rules Committee will meet today 16:00 ET 21:00 GMT. Comments following the meeting may indicate if conservatives will be open to a CR.
• More analysis in today's edition of the MNI US Daily Brief.