Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is in damage control right now, which would explain his latest move.
Johnson has invited Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to speak before Congress, more or less forcing Senator Chuck Schumer’s (D-N.Y.) hand on the matter.
Talking Points…
- Johnson troubles
- The invitation
- Analysis
Mike Johnson got off to a rough start as Speaker, but that was to be expected when you consider the situation he was thrown into when he was first given the gavel. The caucus gave him some space, but that quickly disappeared after the first recess when it became clear that Johnson was doing business as usual in the House.
Since then, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) has announced that she will floor a motion to vacate against Johnson. Greene now has the support of a handful of Republicans, but Democrats have stepped in to say they will save Johnson and block her move. This is not exactly a ringing endorsement for Johnson, as Freedom Caucus members are accusing him of passing legislation that is more toward the Democrat agenda than a conservative one.
Johnson has expressed interest in continuing as Speaker if the GOP can hold the House, but he will have to change a lot of minds over the next few months if he is going to make that happen. Right now, most of the members are simply tolerating him to get through the current term and vote him out next year.
Johnson has made a move in the House that is clearly a poke at Democrats, but he may have also forced their hands. Johnson has extended an invitation for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to speak before Congress. Israel is a major ally of the United States in the Middle East, and even though Democrats have been railing against Israel, this has more or less forced the hand of Senate Majority Leader Schumer.
Johnson recently announced that fact that he had extended an offer to Schumer to make this a joint effort, stating:
“I sent a letter draft, because it’s a bicameral invitation letter, it’s been sitting on Chuck Schumer’s desk. As far as I know he has not cosigned it yet.”
According to Johnson, that letter was sent “probably a month ago,” but Schumer had not yet responded. Now that the information was out there, the media immediately ran to Schumer to ask his office if he would be joining the invitee. His office responded:
“He intends to join the invitation, the timing is being worked out.”
Johnson has been toying with this idea for quite some time, but he played the card now and played it well. I am not saying this makes up for him helping Biden pass aid legislation without getting our border secured, but this is likely to lead to a very embarrassing situation for Democrats when the visit takes place.
There is no way Squad members are going to sit on their hands during this visit. They have been regularly accusing Israel of genocide as well as openly supporting Palestine, and by default, Hamas. That, of course, does not even take into account all the statements made by the White House to pressure Israel. Johnson is finally playing some high-stakes poker, and from my perspective, he has the nuts.
