House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) explained his goals for House Republicans ahead of a key vote to retain his leadership role.
It is unsure if the House GOP, with a razor-thin majority and one confirmed “no” vote, will reelect Johnson. Ahead of the vote, the Speaker made his case for himself keeping the post.
“Republicans have a real opportunity in the next two years to make meaningful spending reforms to eliminate trillions in waste, fraud, and abuse, and end the weaponization of government,” He wrote on social media. “Along with advancing President Trump’s America First agenda, I will lead the House Republicans to reduce the size and scope of the federal government, hold the bureaucracy accountable, and move the United States to a more sustainable fiscal trajectory.”
He laid out three items he said he is “committed to” should he be reelected.
In his first commitment, he said he would work to “create a working group comprised of independent experts — not corrupted by lobbyists and special interests” that would work with President-elect Donald Trump‘s unofficial Department of Government Efficiency and House committees “on implementing recommended government.”
Second, Johnson said he would “task that working group with reviewing existing audits of federal agencies and entities created by Congress” and release a public report of the audit.
Third, Johnson said he would make a request that House committees “undertake aggressive authorizations and appropriations reviews, including providing additional resources where needed, to expose irresponsible or illegal practices and hold agencies/individuals accountable that have weaponized government against the American people.”
Johnson then said that if Republicans wish to “restore fiscal responsibility,” they must start by “being transparent about the dollars that are spent, address the issues we find, and then hold those accountable who have misspent funds.”
“Republicans have a mandate to implement the America First Agenda, and as Speaker, this will be my priority,” he wrote.
Trump previously endorsed Johnson and wished him “good luck” in Friday’s vote as Johnson’s political future in the leadership post appears uncertain.
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At the end of last year, several House Republicans appeared weary of reelecting Johnson due to their dissatisfaction with a bipartisan bill he put forth to keep the government open until March. Nearly 40 House Republicans voted against the deal, effectively killing the legislation.
Johnson wound up relying on House Democrats to supply the needed votes to keep the government open as they voted in favor of a slimmed-down version.