Friday marks the beginning of the 119th Congress, and all eyes are on the House as members prepare to vote for Speaker at noon.
President-elect Donald Trump has doubled down on his endorsement of Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), but with the razor-thin Republican majority, Johnson cannot afford to lose more than one vote.
Adding to the pressure, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), a vocal fiscal conservative, has openly opposed Johnson, further complicating his path to retaining leadership.
Massie re-posted a document on X that circled the halls of Congress ahead of the leadership vote. The letter, which is currently unattributed to an author, contains a”scorecard” listing multiple failures of the 118th Congress.
SCOOP: A group of conservatives and potential opposition votes against Speaker Mike Johnson are circulating a document laying out a “scorecard” that lists multiple failures of the 118th Congress.
While the author remains unnamed, it hits the talking points being shared by… pic.twitter.com/nfoaAVTJs5
— Olivia Beavers (@Olivia_Beavers) January 3, 2025
While the results of the vote are unknown at the time of writing, in the drawn-out Speaker election of 2023 it took 15 rounds of voting to elect Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA).
Just minutes before the vote for Speaker was set to begin, Johnson took to X to announce his plan to reduce the size and scope of the federal government. .
He promised to create “a working group comprised of independent experts” to collaborate with the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy.
The group’s goal is to review existing audits of federal agencies and push for “aggressive authorizations and appropriations reviews” through House committees.
Johnson said in his post:
“I will lead the House Republicans to reduce the size and scope of the federal government, hold the bureaucracy accountable, and move the United States to a more sustainable fiscal trajectory,”
The American people have demanded an end to the status quo, and a return to fiscal sanity. That’s why the citizens of our great country gave President Trump the White House and Republican control of both chambers of Congress. If we don’t follow through on our campaign promise for…
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) January 3, 2025
This initiative comes as Johnson seeks to rally GOP members and retain his gavel. Musk and Ramaswamy have publicly pledged to identify and slash trillions in government spending, a vision that aligns with conservative calls for fiscal discipline.
Johnson’s commitment to these measures is seen as a direct response to the criticisms outlined in the circulating scorecard, showcasing his willingness to address the concerns of fiscal hawks.
What's in the Scorecard?
The document highlights dozens failures since November 2023, including:
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- Passing $61 billion in aid to Ukraine without securing border policies.
- Approving a $1.2 trillion spending bill with little input from Republican members.
- Reauthorizing FISA without warrant protections.
- Passing multiple resolutions with more Democratic than Republican support.
One glaring issue was the December 2024 omnibus bill. At 1,547 pages, it was packed with extraneous spending. This included $110 billion in supplemental funding without offsets. Critics argue this bill was rushed through without proper review, violating the House’s 72-hour rule.
The lack of border security measures also stands out. While Republicans promised to secure the southern border, no meaningful progress was made. Many conservatives feel this was a missed opportunity to align spending with policy priorities.
Why This Matters
Conservatives believe in responsible spending, limited government, and accountability. But the actions of the 118th Congress don’t align with those principles.
According to the scorecard, Republicans in the House added over $300 billion to the national deficit since November 2023. For those who prioritize financial responsibility, this trend feels like betrayal.
Why It’s a Big Deal
For conservatives, this isn’t just about dollars and cents. It’s about what kind of country we’re leaving for future generations. Bigger government means less freedom. More debt means more economic instability.
And failing to secure the border raises questions about national security and sovereignty.
The document also reflects frustration with how decisions were made. From rushed bills to reliance on Democratic votes, many feel the Republican majority isn’t being used effectively.
The Bottom Line
Regardless of which representative ends up with the Speaker's gavel, the failures of the 118th Congress should serve as a wake-up call for conservatives.
One proposed solution is to enforce the “Hastert Rule,” which ensures that bills have majority support from the Republican caucus before being brought to a vote.
Lawmakers are also pushing for stricter adherence to the 72-hour rule, giving members time to review legislation. And there’s a renewed call to prioritize border security in any future spending negotiations.
It’s time to demand better from our leaders and ensure that the principles of limited government and fiscal discipline are more than just campaign slogans.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.