WSJ: Embattled Mike Johnson Gets a Lift From Freedom Caucus
Washington,
October 10, 2025
WASHINGTON—House Speaker Mike Johnson (R., La.) received a rare public show of support from his right flank as he faces questions about his strategy for ending the government shutdown and Republican lawmakers challenge his opposition to a stand-alone bill funding troops’ pay. The House Freedom Caucus, which was founded in opposition to party leadership, took questions from reporters with Johnson on Friday, marking an unprecedented collaboration between the ultraconservative group and the speaker. Members of the roughly 30-person caucus said they support Johnson’s decision to keep lawmakers home in their districts rather than on Capitol Hill as a way to maintain pressure on Senate Democrats. “We are totally united in this effort with other Republicans and the speaker,” said Freedom Caucus Chair Rep. Andy Harris (R., Md.). Said Rep. Ralph Norman (R., S.C.): “The Freedom Caucus is doing the right thing by sticking with Mike Johnson.” Johnson can use the support. Ten days into the shutdown, he is contending with calls from other rank-and-file Republicans who feel the party needs to figure out a way to make sure troops get paid next week, assuming Democrats continue to block the House GOP’s stopgap spending bill that would reopen the government. Military servicemembers, along with other federal workers, are set to miss paychecks in coming days. Freedom Caucus members voiced support for Johnson’s stance, arguing that House Republicans already voted to pay the troops when they approved the party’s short-term spending patch three weeks ago. Last month, the House GOP pushed through its stopgap spending bill that would fund the government through Nov. 21, and Johnson then sent members home. Since then, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) and most of his colleagues have repeatedly blocked the GOP bill, and it isn’t clear when the House will return. Speaking to reporters Friday, Johnson took an uncharacteristically fiery tone. When asked if it was time for him to try a different play call, Johnson responded that it wasn’t a game, and he wouldn’t change his approach on paying the troops. “If you are a servicemember who is lacking a paycheck, it is because Chuck Schumer has to appease the Marxists, plain and simple,” Johnson said. Earlier this week, Schumer called Johnson a “massive roadblock to getting anything done. His members aren’t even here doing their jobs. They’ve been home for weeks.” Democrats said Johnson misplayed his hand. During the past two weeks, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D., N.Y.) has ordered Democrats to come to Washington, where they have held news conferences and churned out social-media videos that portray Republicans as absent. “It shows that Republicans are not even trying,” said Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D., Calif.). “When Mike Johnson doesn’t want his own members around, it tells the American people that they’re not serious about negotiating.” |
