(January 8, 2024 at 3:57 pm)ShinyCrystals Wrote:(January 8, 2024 at 3:54 pm)Thumpalumpacus Wrote: Even if the Dems remain the minority there, Johnson's job is still very much at risk, depending how he navigates the ongoing budget and aid-package discussions. In a sense, the Dem-controlled Senate has him by the short hairs, because he can't get anything done unless it will pass in the Senate -- and that means bipartisanship, which is clearly repellent to so many on the far right.
That is an interesting thing to note.
It looks like one can say that either way, things may not go so well for Johnson.
When it comes to all spending bills, those must, Constitutionally, begin life in the House. It is those budget bills that are being discussed on the Hill as we type. How deeply those bills offend or mollify the radical-right representatives likely depends on exactly how much the House GOP leaders try to pass bills that have a realistic chance of getting through the Democratic Senate.
Ergo, Johnson is forced to take the initiative and risk alienating a significant part of his House caucus, or take the blame for the partial shutdown that is looming. He has a very narrow path to tread.
