Mike Johnson's Speakership in Question as Congress Begins

House Speaker Mike Johnson faces significant challenges as he seeks to secure his position amidst skepticism from some GOP members, despite receiving President-elect Donald Trump's endorsement. With Republicans holding a narrow 219-215 majority, Johnson can only afford to lose one Republican vote to retain his speakership. Detractors, including Rep. Thomas Massie, have criticized Johnson's leadership and handling of government funding, leading to concerns about his ability to unite the party. Additionally, Johnson's recent government spending bill faced backlash for alleged 'wasteful spending,' further complicating his standing within the party. As the House prepares to vote on January 3rd, uncertainty looms over Johnson's ability to galvanize support from the far-right members of his conference. The upcoming vote will be critical in determining if Johnson can maintain his leadership role or if calls for a new speaker will intensify.