I wish newly elected Speaker of the House Mike Johnson much success on this challenging path for Republicans. For now, the speaker’s chair is no longer “vacant.”
Did everyone get what they wanted? Or maybe everyone lost?
Let’s review. MAGA Republicans worked their way into this position. After the Ohio Republican they were targeting failed three times in three different days, a record, they elected the only man who hadn’t been in Congress long enough to create enemies within his own ranks. Additionally, Johnson was certified Trumpster and did not separate himself from other Republicans.
The jury is out on how he will handle his fresh responsibilities, but I am encouraged by each person who is the first to lead by calling upon God for his success and vision. As a member of Congress in the 1990s, I also went to church every day. My opponents called me “lucky.” Yes, sure. I commend Speaker Johnson on this issue. It will help.
The first area of concern is keeping the government open. Johnson may need an extension to this contract and will receive it as part of his unofficial honeymoon. It is necessary to adopt each bill on the allocation separately.
This is something that no speaker in the 21st century has ever achieved. As a result of repeated continuous resolutions, we were forced not to observe the sausage production process (recipes), but to heat aged sausage in a microwave oven for an entire generation.
Financing Israel, Ukraine, and our crisis on the U.S.-Mexico border are other immediate and major challenges.
Financing the borders and helping Israel is obvious. After the terrible attack by Hamas on Israel, the world realized the fundamental importance of protecting its border. (We pray for the families affected by such atrocities and for the safe and sound release of innocent hostages.)
Most puzzling is the funding for Ukraine, which must be separated from funding for Israel. Just a few days ago, it seemed like the Biden administration was looking for $24 billion in aid. Wait, that “was” just a few days ago. On October 4, Biden asked Congress for $24 billion. Now, just a few days later, the price tag is as high as $60 billion. Interesting.
Speaker Johnson is commended for attempting to establish a bipartisan group to address the ever-growing issue of government spending entitlements.
Then there’s that pesky thing known as the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.
So Democrats, did it go the way you wanted? Did you get anything you wanted other than letting Republicans publicly embarrass you?
You had two chances. Which you handled well. You joined most Republicans to keep the government open. But the second pitch was a curveball, and like Mickey Mantle in his later years with the Yankees, you felt it. Instead of voting “present,” you joined the leadership of the group you most despise in Congress and, with your unanimous support, removed former Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
Now there’s a MAGA Republican in the speaker’s chair, which is probably your worst nightmare.
However, I trust that Speaker Johnson will choose to be a productive speaker and not one who merely offers “principal points.” When the numbers aren’t there in the House or Senate, excessive “basicism” is a waste of valuable time.
However, without eliminating the “one man” procedure – that is, the ability for one House member to order a vote to remove a speaker – there is a risk that dysfunction in the House will repeat itself. This is the main element that allows the “tail to wag the dog”.
Here are some questions that will need to be answered over time:
Can a majority of the GOP majority work together to pass legislation that would put it in a sturdy position to negotiate in conference with the Senate?
Will Senate Democrats and House Republicans ultimately support negotiated compromise legislation?
Or will the “far right” continue to be the “tail that wags the dog,” leading to further dysfunction?
Will the GOP conference allow the far right to do this?
Will the speaker ask Democrats to find bipartisan solutions?
If so, will Johnson lose his position as speaker?
Democrats must remember that compromise is a bipartisan proposition. They must also remember that if they are asked to mulligan a vote with far-right Republicans, they must join mainstream Republicans for the good of the nation. The lesson learned over the last few weeks is that “tail wagging the dog” can only end with Democratic support. Republicans can’t stop them alone. The margins are too lean.
One thing is certain, God does not allow anyone to regain lost time. It’s the devil’s best tool. We lost over three weeks looking for a fresh speaker. Time. Typically, a speaker had nearly two months to prepare from selection in November to being sworn in in January. Johnson doesn’t have that benefit.
Wasting time, getting distracted, and being unproductive seems to be what the Titanic’s crew commanders did before they hit the iceberg. You can’t change the direction of a country (or a boat) if you can’t move the ship in any direction at all. We would just continue sliding in the same (wrong) direction until it was too behind schedule.
God bless America and its allies. I’m sure Speaker Johnson will say this prayer often, as we all will.
