A Test for the New Speaker of the House; Johnson Faces Republican Resistance in Passing the Government Budget

The U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote on Tuesday regarding a two-phase budget extension proposal by Mike Johnson, the new Speaker of the House, to extend government funding until next year. However, several hardline Republican representatives have stated that they will oppose his proposal. Reports indicate that at least 9 Republican representatives are against this plan. These oppositions increase the risk of a government shutdown before the Friday deadline. Critics of the plan, including Republican representative Chip Roy, cite the lack of changes in government asylum policies and the budget for the Department of Homeland Security as reasons for their opposition. Johnson, however, argues that this plan is the best way to prevent a multi-purpose budget from the Senate as it gives Congress more time to negotiate the 2024 financial budget. The Republican Party in the House may need Democratic votes to pass this proposal. While avoiding a government shutdown could be a potential victory for Johnson, collaborating with Democrats also risks alienating some Republicans. Although the Republican Party and Johnson criticize this plan for not reducing government spending and following Biden's policies, this proposal represents a key test for Johnson. He was elected as the new Speaker of the House after the ousting of Kevin McCarthy and is trying to navigate between moderates and hardliners within his party.