House Democrats are making it clear they will not support Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) in his upcoming reelection on January 3, 2024, signaling a significant shift in the balance of power within the House of Representatives.
Axios reported that with only a narrow 219-215 majority, Johnson faces the possibility of losing his position, as House Democrats and Republicans alike show discontent with his leadership.
The tensions began after Johnson abandoned a federal funding package that had been negotiated with Democrats, opting instead for a version that included a debt limit extension, a demand from President-elect Trump. This move was criticized by House Democrats, who accused Johnson of backpedaling on agreements made earlier and breaking their trust.
Johnson later passed a version of the bill without the debt ceiling increase, but by then, the damage had already been done. Relations with House Democrats had deteriorated significantly, and Johnson’s communications with them became increasingly sparse.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) acknowledged the shift in sentiment during a caucus meeting, noting that Johnson’s reversal on the funding deal was a critical factor in souring relations.
With Johnson’s leadership on shaky ground, House Democratic leaders have made it clear they will not offer any assistance in the upcoming Speaker election. House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) stated that he would not ask his fellow Democrats to back Johnson as they did in May 2024.
During a recent appearance on MSNBC, Jeffries echoed the sentiment, warning that Johnson could face a real risk of failing to secure the votes needed for reelection. He emphasized that no Democrats would be available to help him on January 3.
More than half a dozen Democrats who supported Johnson in May now say they will not vote for him in January, underscoring the erosion of trust within the party.
Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) confirmed that while he would follow the leadership’s guidance, he personally would not support Johnson.
Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.) stated bluntly that he would vote for Jeffries instead, highlighting the growing distance between Democrats and Johnson. Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) added her agreement with Jeffries' comments, making it clear that she too was unwilling to back the Speaker.
Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vt.) offered a strong rebuke, saying that Johnson’s actions had betrayed the trust of Democrats and that they could never support him again. "He has betrayed our trust and we will never trust him again to hold to any agreement," she said.
Despite Johnson’s nomination by the House Republican Conference last month, his position remains precarious. With only a slight majority, he cannot afford to lose any votes, but several Republican lawmakers have voiced doubts about supporting him for Speaker again.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) has already announced he will vote against Johnson, and others, including Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas), are still undecided. Nehls suggested that Johnson might need Democratic votes to maintain his hold on the Speaker's chair, a situation that would mark a dramatic shift in the traditionally partisan election.
Inside the Republican Party, Johnson is facing mounting pressure from his right-wing allies, both in Congress and among conservative activists. They have increasingly demanded that he push for significant government spending cuts, further complicating his position.
As Johnson tries to balance the demands of his party’s far-right factions, he faces an uncertain future in the Speaker’s role.
With the threshold for introducing a “motion to vacate” now lowered, any group of nine Republicans can force a vote to remove the Speaker, making his position vulnerable to challenges from within his own ranks.
The turmoil surrounding Johnson's leadership highlights the broader divisions within the House. In response to the fractured dynamics, Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) remarked that it was now up to Republicans to lead on governance, as Democrats had been voted out of power in the November elections.
This shift in responsibilities leaves Johnson with few options for maintaining his leadership role, and his ability to navigate the complex web of party pressures and ideological divides will be tested in the coming months.
