GOP Moderates to Speaker Johnson: Avoid McCarthy's Mistakes

GOP moderates are warning House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to avoid former Speaker Kevin McCarthy's mistakes, reports Axios.

One of the lawmakers who spoke with the news outlet said there were "significant communications," including: "Don't give promises upon which you can't deliver. Don't give promises that require us to do things that we don't want to do, that are beyond reasonable."

McCarthy in 2023 became the first House speaker in U.S. history to be ousted after he struck a deal with Democrats to avert a federal government shutdown.

Then-Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., accused McCarthy of turning his back on the GOP and making "secret side deals" with President Joe Biden to secure more aid for Ukraine.

Johnson's hold on the House speaker's gavel and his position as second in line to the presidency will be tested Friday when a new Congress convenes and House Republicans weigh whether to reelect him to the post.

The challenge is that Johnson will need almost every Republican vote to win.

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