Part 3/9:
Speaker Johnson has found himself at the center of this budgetary turmoil, tasked with bridging the gap between varying factions of the House. Efforts initiated by his leadership to extend existing funding included proposals for congressional pay hikes and support for several contentious organizations, which resulted in the need for cross-party negotiations. With approximately 30 Republicans publicly decrying the irresponsibility of high spending, Johnson faced mounting pressure to reach across the aisle to obtain Democratic support for his initiatives.