Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich says Mike Johnson is doing "an extraordinary job" as speaker despite criticism from some conservatives.
Johnson drew the wrath of some GOP conference members when he recently agreed to an initial spending deal with Democrats to avoid a government shutdown. That agreement was defeated before a continuing resolution eventually was passed to provide funding.
Gingrich, speaker from 1995-99 under President Bill Clinton and with a GOP-led Senate, commended Johnson, R-La., for the way he has done his job with a slim House majority and Democrats controlling both the presidency and Senate.
"Mike Johnson, speaker of the house, is doing an extraordinary job," Gingrich told John Catsimatidis on Sunday's "Cats Roundtable" on WABC 770 AM.
"I tell everybody, I was a pretty effective speaker. I could never do his job. He has no margins. Any two or three members can rebel at any moment."
The former Georgia Republican praised Johnson for having "the patience of Job in the Bible" and the ability to listen to others.
Following chaotic negotiations that ultimately led to the CR that passed, some Republican members questioned whether Johnson will be able to secure enough votes to be speaker in the new Congress.
Gingrich emphasized that Republicans should focus on the end legislative result and not what it took to get there.
"When you have no margin and you have to maneuver and listen, and maneuver and listen, that is how the constitutional process works," he told Catsimatidis.
President-elect Donald Trump, who previously has said he supported Johnson, has not weighed in on who he backs for the speakership when the GOP retains control in January.
Gingrich told Catsimatidis that House Republicans need to become unified with Trump in the White House and the GOP owning a Senate majority.
"They need a Republican unity program for the next two years," Gingrich said. "These guys who wake up every morning and say, I'm going to vote no. What's the issue? are totally destructive and hand the House over to the Democrats.
"So they need to start this year with a pledge that every Republican is going to stick together. We're going to be a single team."
For Republicans to keep control of the House and gain seats in 2026, Gingrich said they need a thriving economy.
"In order for the economy to boom, by July 4th they need to sign into law a huge tax cut and deregulation bill," he said, "and I think that should be the highest priority domestically of the administration and of every House and Senate Republican."
Trump announced he will nominated Gingrich's wife to be U.S. ambassador to Switzerland. Callista Gingrich served as ambassador to the Vatican during the first Trump administration.
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Charlie McCarthy, a writer/editor at Newsmax, has nearly 40 years of experience covering news, sports, and politics.
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