Leadership vote in Congress poses a test of unity for Trump’s Republicans By Reuters

By Bo Erickson

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s Republicans face their first test of unity in Congress on Friday when they decide to keep Mike Johnson in the powerful role of House speaker.

The early afternoon leadership vote could provide an early indication of the party’s ability to hold together as it works to advance Trump’s tax cut and border enforcement agenda through Congress. It could also test Trump’s influence on Capitol Hill, where several Republicans have already shown a willingness to stand up to him.

House Republicans have been riven by internal divisions for the past two years. Johnson was promoted to speaker after the party ousted his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy, by a slim 219-215 majority. if he wants to keep the job.

Before the vote, Johnson said he would not compromise to get concessions.

“I don’t make deals with anyone. There is nothing here,” he told reporters. “I don’t do anything in return for the vote, except to commit to making this institution work as efficiently as possible.”

Trump sought to pave the way for a smooth ride when he endorsed Johnson on Monday after weeks of uncertainty.

“Mike’s victory today will be a great victory for the Republican Party,” Trump wrote on the Internet on Friday.

Maverick Republican Rep. Thomas Massey, a source of constant concern among his party leaders, has vowed to vote against Johnson and said he believes several others will join him. “I suspect there will be one or two here soon he told Reuters.

If Massey’s prediction is confirmed, it would leave Johnson short of the votes he needs to stay in office.Several other party members have been hesitant to back him.

So far, no other Republican has publicly hinted at challenging Johnson for the role.

NARROW MARGIN

More than one vote against Johnson, or a few Republican abstentions in the form of “present” votes, would be enough to block Johnson’s re-election if all Democrats vote for their leader, Hakeem Jeffries, as expected.

If Johnson doesn’t win the election on the first ballot, he can try again. The House of Representatives went through 15 rounds of voting over four days in 2023 before selecting McCarthy as speaker.

Whoever secures the speakership, second only to the president, will have a big job ahead.In addition to taking on Trump’s sweeping legislative agenda, Congress must address the nation’s debt ceiling later this year.

With the federal government already more than $36 trillion in debt, many congressional Republicans are expected to push for significant spending cuts.

On Friday, Republicans will swear in their new 53-47 Senate majority, with Sen. John Thune as the new leader, replacing longtime Sen. Mitch McConnell, who is stepping down but staying on.

Johnson has angered some conservatives by repeatedly turning to Democrats for votes to pass critical legislation, such as bills to keep state agencies operating. He also faced a last-minute challenge late last month when Trump told congressional Republicans to repeal Govt financing deal, requiring it to also raise the country’s debt ceiling.

A revised version of that bill, which did not include Trump’s debt ceiling demand, passed the House just hours before the government shutdown, and it received more support from Democrats than Republicans.

Other Republicans trying to claim the mantle of championing Trump’s second-term agenda have made demands in exchange for their support.

Rep. Victoria Spartz, a Republican, this week released a list of structural fiscal restrictions for next year that opened the door to a Johnson victory.

Another element working in Johnson’s favor to remain speaker is the calendar.

Congress is scheduled to meet on Monday to confirm Trump’s presidential victory, a function he cannot perform without a speaker.

Johnson also sought to ease his path for the next two years by changing the McCarthy-agreed rule that allows any member of the House to call for the removal of the speaker, known as a “motion to discharge.” Johnson’s proposed rules would require nine members of the majority to agree before a vote can be imposed , which led to McCarthy’s dismissal.