Story perspectives

Johnson’s “Hell Week” Sparks GOP House Infighting Over Bills

5/2/2026

Left

Johnson Battles GOP

Infighting erupted as House members shouted at Speaker Mike Johnson while pushing a farm-bill ethanol provision and a budget resolution.
Speaker Mike Johnson labeled the week “hell week” while wrestling with raucous GOP members to pass multiple bills.
Johnson called the DHS funding approval, which omitted immigration enforcement money, a partisan triumph.
The reversal of a deal prompted Rep. Chip Roy to shout “fucked,” leaving colleagues scarred.

Right

Johnson Averts Shutdown

Speaker Mike Johnson labeled the week “hell week” while battling noisy GOP members over the DHS funding bill.
The House passed a Senate-originated DHS spending bill covering appropriations through September, averting a May payroll shortfall for federal workers.
Johnson blocked the bill over law-enforcement defunding, then relented after a White House payroll warning.
Rep. Troy Nehls warned the shutdown hurt DHS families, citing more than 1,000 TSA resignations.

History

Historical Context

During the 1995-96 budget impasse, President Bill Clinton and House Speaker Newt Gingrich let a 21-day shutdown furlough about 800,000 federal workers, exposing how partisan deadlock can halt payroll. That episode set a precedent for later standoffs, and today Speaker Mike Johnson’s clash with GOP members over DHS funding revives the same risk of a prolonged shutdown.

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Johnson Battles GOP

Infighting erupted as House members shouted at Speaker Mike Johnson while pushing a farm-bill ethanol provision and a budget resolution.
Speaker Mike Johnson labeled the week “hell week” while wrestling with raucous GOP members to pass multiple bills.
Johnson called the DHS funding approval, which omitted immigration enforcement money, a partisan triumph.
The reversal of a deal prompted Rep. Chip Roy to shout “fucked,” leaving colleagues scarred.

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