In a recent statement, Victoria Spartz, a Republican representative from Indiana, indicated that she would announce her decision on whether to support House Speaker Mike Johnson’s bid for re-election on Friday. Spartz shared with reporters in the Capitol that her discussion with Johnson had been positive.
The conversations between Spartz and Johnson included important discussions about the governance of the House, with Spartz underscoring the need for transparency regarding the future actions of House Republicans. “It’s not about me, or anyone else; it’s about the American people,” she stated, emphasizing the necessity of delivering results for the public.
The upcoming vote for a new House Speaker follows a tumultuous time for Johnson, especially concerning last month’s contentious negotiations over an end-of-year funding bill aimed at keeping the government operational.
On Monday, Spartz expressed that Johnson needs to present a clear strategy to align with President-elect Trump’s agenda if he hopes to secure her support for the Speaker position.
During a Fox News interview, she noted that she was evaluating Johnson’s “track record” and expressed concern that “unfortunately we will not be able to deliver on President Trump’s agenda … if we don’t have a Speaker with courage, vision and a plan.”
For Johnson to gain Spartz’s backing, she insisted that he must articulate a solid plan and commit to it, contrasting this with his past promises.
She recalled his commitment on the House floor to establish a fiscal commission to address the debt ceiling, a promise that she feels was not fulfilled. “We have no plan,” she remarked, referring to the lack of actionable steps.
Earlier this week, former President Trump endorsed Johnson, describing him as “a good, hard-working, religious man.”
