House Speaker Mike Johnson’s Plan to Prevent Government Shutdown and Secure Conservative Wins
House Speaker Mike Johnson has introduced a two-step strategy aimed at keeping the U.S. government open while advocating for fiscal responsibility and significant policy changes. The proposal, dubbed the “Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act of 2024,” seeks to avert a potential government shutdown by addressing key funding issues and outlining a path forward for Congress.
The Two-Step Approach
The plan aims to extend government funding through two critical dates in 2024. According to the details of the legislation, most of the allocated funds will expire on February 2, 2024, while others will run out on January 19, 2024. Under this arrangement, Congress would need to negotiate over 12 individual appropriations bills, instead of one large funding package that typically consolidates numerous funding priorities.
The urgency around the January 19 deadline stems from the need to address funding for government programs that fall under regular appropriations. These areas include vital services such as agriculture, rural development, transportation, housing, urban development, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For these programs, funding will need to be secured before this deadline to ensure that services continue to operate smoothly.
In addition to the January 19 deadline, some government programs have later deadlines extending into the fall of 2024. For instance, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, which includes critical support programs for farmers and rural development, has a deadline of September 30, 2024.
Johnson’s Plan to “Fight for Conservative Victories”
Speaker Johnson has emphasized that his strategy is designed to “fight for conservative victories” by focusing on fiscal responsibility and seeking meaningful policy changes. These changes target some of the most pressing issues faced by the nation, such as the crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border and the continuing debate over financial support for Ukraine.
The two-step continuing resolution aims to bypass the traditional year-end omnibus spending package, which is often filled with last-minute provisions and can result in rushed legislation. By separating the continuing resolution (CR) from the supplementary funding debates, Johnson believes this will place House Republicans in a stronger position to advocate for conservative policy priorities.
“This two-step continuing resolution is a necessary bill to place House Republicans in the best position to fight for conservative victories,” Speaker Johnson said in a statement. “The bill will stop the absurd holiday-season omnibus tradition of massive, loaded-up spending bills introduced right before the Christmas recess. Separating the CR from the supplemental funding debates places our conference in the best position to fight for fiscal responsibility, oversight over Ukraine aid, and meaningful policy changes at our southern border.”
Johnson’s plan notably excludes provisions for additional financial aid to Ukraine or Israel. This decision stems from the fact that the House has already introduced a separate proposal to allocate $14.5 billion in aid to Israel following the terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7, 2024.
Opposition to the Proposal
Despite Johnson’s efforts to push through his plan, Senate Democrats have expressed strong resistance. Critics argue that the proposal is too complicated and impractical, suggesting that it would waste taxpayer money by complicating what should be a straightforward process.
“We are going to pass a clean short-term CR. The only question is whether we do it stupidly and catastrophically or we do it like adults,” said Democratic Senator Brian Schatz from Hawaii. “There’s nothing inherently conservative about making simple things super convoluted, and all of this nonsense costs taxpayer money.”
While some critics dismiss the plan as convoluted, others argue that it represents a pragmatic approach to securing conservative goals while avoiding a government shutdown. Johnson’s move reflects an ongoing attempt to balance the budget, assert fiscal discipline, and address complex national security and foreign policy issues.
Speaker Mike Johnson’s Financial Disclosure: A Contrast to His Predecessors
As Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson has quickly become the subject of attention, not only for his policy stances but also for his personal finances, which contrast sharply with those of his predecessors. Unlike many previous House speakers, who have amassed considerable wealth, Johnson’s most recent financial disclosure report, filed in August 2024, reveals a modest financial profile.
Johnson has no stock holdings and has listed three debts on his disclosure form: a home mortgage of up to $500,000, a personal loan of up to $50,000, and a home equity line of credit also amounting to $50,000. Critics have pointed out the unusual nature of this disclosure, especially in the context of government ethics.
Brett Kappel, a government ethics expert at Harmon Curran, called it “very unusual for a member not to have to disclose at least one bank account.” Another ethics expert, Jordan Libowitz, described Johnson’s financial situation as “strange” and suggested that it could make him vulnerable to influence buying.
Defending Speaker Johnson
Despite the criticism from some quarters, Republicans have rallied behind Speaker Johnson, particularly in contrast to the wealth accumulated by former Democratic leaders like Nancy Pelosi. Representative Kat Cammack (R-Fla.), a staunch ally of Johnson, defended his financial situation, framing it as a positive reflection of his relatability and commitment to the American people.
“For years, we’ve heard calls and demands for members of Congress to look more like the people they represent,” said Rep. Cammack. “Today, we have a speaker who is not independently wealthy, who does not own or trade stocks and, per House financial reporting disclosures rules, is not required to disclose his federal employee retirement funds.”
Cammack further emphasized that Johnson’s financial disclosures were consistent with a “man of the people” approach to leadership. She criticized the hypocrisy of Democrats and the media, pointing out that former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who is worth more than $100 million, owned millions of dollars in assets, including stocks in prominent companies like Google, Apple, and Microsoft.
In fact, Pelosi’s stock holdings have been the subject of scrutiny, particularly given her role in shaping significant financial and legislative decisions during her tenure as Speaker. Her personal wealth, primarily derived from investments in major corporations, has led to increased calls for more transparency regarding the financial activities of members of Congress.
The Call for Financial Transparency in Congress
In response to the concerns raised by Johnson’s financial disclosure and the broader issue of Congressional financial transparency, Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced the Preventing Elected Leaders from Owning Securities and Investments (PELOSI) Act. This proposed legislation aims to prevent members of Congress and their spouses from owning or trading individual stocks to eliminate any potential conflicts of interest or undue influence.
The PELOSI Act follows the widespread belief that lawmakers should not be allowed to financially benefit from their positions, particularly when it comes to stock trading. Critics argue that it is too easy for elected officials to leverage their inside knowledge of legislative matters to make profitable financial decisions, creating an appearance of corruption or impropriety.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Johnson’s Proposal
As Speaker Mike Johnson pushes forward with his two-step plan to prevent a government shutdown and fight for conservative policy priorities, the political landscape remains contentious. While Johnson’s proposal may have its detractors, it marks a significant attempt to break from the traditional approach of lumping together large funding packages and allows for a more targeted approach to budgeting and spending.
The challenges that lie ahead are not just about negotiating funding but also about addressing broader issues such as the U.S.-Mexico border crisis and the future of foreign aid to Ukraine and Israel. For Johnson, balancing fiscal responsibility with national security concerns will remain a top priority.
However, the scrutiny over his financial disclosures, combined with the internal tensions within his party, signals that his leadership will continue to face both external and internal challenges. The debates over government spending, policy priorities, and financial transparency will shape the trajectory of his speakership in the months to come.
Conclusion: A Speaker Under Scrutiny
Mike Johnson’s tenure as Speaker of the House represents a break from the status quo, both in his policy proposals and his financial approach. While he faces criticism for his unconventional financial disclosure, his proposals aim to place House Republicans in a stronger position to push for conservative victories and reform government spending.
The two-step continuing resolution, which seeks to prevent a government shutdown while ensuring fiscal responsibility, represents just one part of Johnson’s broader strategy. With a delicate balancing act ahead—between party unity, fiscal discipline, and policy reform—Johnson’s leadership will continue to be scrutinized. However, his commitment to representing the interests of ordinary Americans, as evidenced by his own financial profile, could serve as an important talking point as he navigates the challenges of his role as Speaker.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, Johnson’s approach to government funding, financial transparency, and conservative victories will undoubtedly influence the future of the House of Representatives and its policies.
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