Three looming fights await Mike Johnson after recess
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House Speaker Mike Johnson on Capitol Hill on May 7. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is staring down three messy fights when Congress returns next week.
Why it matters: Johnson may have survived "hell week" and ended the politically painful Department of Homeland Security shutdown just before Congress left town, but the speaker will return to Washington with a long to-do list.
Senate Republicans' decision to include $1 billion in funding for security measures for Trump's ballroom as part of the GOP's reconciliation package to fund ICE and Customs and Border Protection is already hitting some roadblocks with House Republicans.
- President Trump had pledged that "no government funds" would be used in the ballroom's construction.
- But now Democrats are eager to highlight the affordability contrast and get their Republican colleagues on record supporting the funding.
And Trump's insistence that the 60-day deadline does not apply to his Iran operation is fueling bipartisan frustration on Capitol Hill.
- Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Mich.) introduced an Authorization for Use of Military Force on Thursday that would require Trump to end U.S. military involvement in Iran by July 30, the latest sign of growing Republican unease with the conflict.
- House Democrats could continue forcing votes on war powers resolutions, putting vulnerable Republicans in politically tricky positions.
Conversations around sexual harassment and misconduct on Capitol Hill also threaten to boil over when lawmakers return.
- Look for Reps. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) and Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) to keep pressuring Johnson to change how Congress handles misconduct allegations and staff protections.
- The renewed push comes after Axios reported allegations that Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.) had inappropriate relationships with two young female staffers.
- One House Republican told Axios they believe Edwards "should go."
Bonus: Congressional leaders also have a short runway before another FISA expiration deadline.
- Lawmakers have already punted the issue twice and remain far from an agreement on a long-term extension of Section 702, the government's warrantless surveillance authority.
