Speaker Johnson Explains Past Votes Against CRs Amidst Shifting Political Circumstances

Shifting Political Landscape and CR Votes

• 🎯 Speaker Johnson explained his past votes against continuing resolutions (CRs) by stating, "Different circumstances, different times."
• 🔑 In the past, when Republicans were in the minority, they used leverage points to oppose Democratic partisan priorities being inserted into CRs.
• 💡 Currently, as Speaker, Johnson notes that no Republican priorities were included in the clean CR, leaving nothing to negotiate.

Rationale for Current Stance

• ⚠️ Johnson still objects to the Biden-level policies and spending included in the CRs but aims to keep the government open.
• 🚀 The goal is to allow time for the appropriations process to restart, enabling the reprioritization of federal spending.
• ⏳ He stated that seven more weeks are needed to finish this process, but every day the government remains open reduces the time available.

Contrasting Past Negotiations

• 🗣️ Johnson recalled a situation in 2021 when Republicans had a majority but faced divided government, with Democrats controlling the Senate.
• 🤝 He described a negotiation with Chuck Schumer where Schumer promised fairness but then refused to remove a "terrible poison pill" that was a major Democratic priority.
• 📞 Johnson stated Schumer hung up on him when he called at the "11th hour" to ask him not to include the provision.
• ✅ Johnson asserts he has given Schumer more grace than deserved, despite past experiences.