When Speaker Johnson called House members back to vote on the budget reconciliation bill within 10 minutes of dismissing them, I was deeply impressed.
As a former speaker of the House, I keenly appreciated Mr. Johnson’s position. Only one Republican could defect if the bill was going to pass. I also knew that Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky would never budge.
Mr. Massie’s stubbornness meant Mr. Johnson could not afford to lose an additional Republican. The Democrats had made it clear they would be unified in opposition.

- Too Much Ambiguity
I spend about three hours a day trying to keep track of political and governmental news. - President Trump, Iran, and the Hinge of History
For the sake of America’s (and the world’s) safety, every element of American power must be brought to bear immediately to win the Battle of the Persian Gulf. - The Four Building Blocks of the 2026 Republican Victory
This is a formula for a huge Republican victory — if we can get gasoline under control and work on affordability so we are seen as the party trying to improve the lives of Americans. - Expect Trouble Ahead as Socialist Mayors, Going ‘Through the Looking-Glass,’ Defy Economic Reality
In the real world, when money is frightened, it moves. - The Republican Path to Victory in 2026
The path to Republican Victory has three components.
