House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing a potential challenge from a group of right-wing Republicans who are threatening to derail his bid to retain the speakership due to the slim majority Republicans hold in the new Congress. Despite receiving an endorsement from President-elect Donald Trump, Johnson has already lost one GOP vote and is facing resistance from Rep. Thomas Massie and Rep. Victoria Spartz. Johnson remains confident that he will retain the gavel in the upcoming vote, highlighting the urgency of organizing the new Congress amid national security threats. The potential challenge Johnson is facing is reminiscent of the difficulties his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy, experienced two years ago. McCarthy faced obstacles from a small group of conservative rebels led by Matt Gaetz, which resulted in a prolonged floor fight for the speaker’s gavel. Johnson is actively reaching out to his GOP critics and emphasizing the importance of enacting Trump’s legislative agenda with the unified government that will be in place. If Johnson secures the gavel, House Republicans are planning to vote on a rules change that would make it harder to oust him from the speaker’s office midway through his two-year term. This rule change was negotiated between the House Freedom Caucus and the Main Street Caucus, ensuring that at least nine majority party members would be needed to trigger a vote to expel the speaker.
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Mike Johnson contends for re-election to maintain speakership with endorsement from Donald Trump
