President Joe Biden, 81, is the “winner” of the 118th Congress after House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) bent the knee to Biden and many of his 2024 priorities, according to Punchbowl News, an establishment media organization that covers Congress.
Biden’s steamroll of Johnson is a sore reminder of how Republicans often decline to use their capacity to push conservative policies popular with the base, perhaps fearing reelection. Democrats, in contrast, often appear to use their power without qualms.
U.S. President Joe Biden, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) listen as Andrea Bocelli performs “Amazing Grace” during the annual National Prayer Breakfast in Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol on February 01, 2024, in Washington, DC. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty)
Johnson’s stint as Speaker illustrates why many conservatives remain frustrated with the Republican Party. Instead of using his leverage to secure the southern border, impeach Biden, cut runaway spending, or “shake up Washington,” Johnson gave Biden “pretty much everything” Biden asked for “without having to concede much in return,” Punchbowl reported.
The policies Biden can tout heading into the November election due to Johnson’s leadership include:
- Reauthorizing FISA
- Subsidizing Ukraine war
- Avoiding impeachment
- Keeping spending levels in place
- Losing control of GOP House
Biden’s recent success is a positive sign for the embattled president, who suffers from historically low polling, age concerns, Democrat opposition over the Israel/Hamas war, and poor enthusiasm.
RELATED VIDEO — GOP Rep. Armstrong on Attempts to Oust Speaker Johnson: “I Don’t Know Who Would Want the Job at This Point”:
Only about 40 percent of Americans approve of Biden’s job performance, well below the 50 percent threshold that incumbents historically need to win reelection. One in five Democrats disapprove of Biden’s job performance, a previous Harvard/Harris survey found.
A strong majority of voters believe Biden’s America is on the wrong track, as more voters (nine points) look more fondly on former President Trump’s presidency, a New York Times/Siena poll found last week. Forty-two percent said Trump’s tenure was “mostly good for America,” compared to only 25 percent for Biden.
Wendell Husebo is a political reporter with Breitbart News and a former GOP War Room Analyst. He is the author of Politics of Slave Morality. Follow Wendell on “X” @WendellHusebø or on Truth Social @WendellHusebo.
