Johnson must face these 'realities' as GOP fails 'basic obligations': ex-House Speaker press sec

Amid House Republicans' fight over a massive government spending bill this week, Speaker Mike Johnson is finding out that "the notion of unified GOP control is a myth," according to Brendan Buck, a former press secretary for ex-House Speakers Paul Ryan (R-OH) and John Boehner (R-OH).

In an op-ed published by The Washington Post Thursday, Buck notes that Johnson believes "Republican control of government will begin a new era of productivity," come President-elect Donald Trump's second term.

"Now he can only hope he’s around to find out," the ex-Speaker staffer writes, referring to some GOP lawmakers' threats that they won't re-elect Johnson on January 3.

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"As Johnson has found time and again, like Kevin McCarthy before him," Buck continues, "he cannot consistently rely on 218 Republicans, not even for the basic obligations of governing."

He adds, "Whether the speaker of the House is Johnson, archconservative Jim Jordan, or Musk himself, the realities of governing under an internally divided coalition will continue to foil Republicans’ ambitions."

Furthermore, Buck insists, "There are things any majority must do, such as keeping the government open and avoiding a debt default. And until Republicans are willing to accept this and work together to strengthen their hand, they will continue to find themselves at the mercy of House and Senate Democrats — no matter the speaker."

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Buck's full op-ed is available at this link (subscription required).