Republicans are off to a strong start. Good. They have a lot to deliver for voters. | Opinion
Americans have entrusted Republicans with delivering results. They're off to a good start and have chosen respectable leaders for Congress. Now, they must deliver.
I’ll admit I was nervous on Friday, watching the U.S. House vote for its new leader.
After the debacle that happened two years ago and the 15 rowdy rounds it took to elect former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, it was a pleasant contrast to see Republicans back Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana on the first ballot. allowing him to continue in the role he's held since a small faction ousted McCarthy in 2023.
Sure, there were tense moments when it looked like there would be three stubborn holdouts, but thanks to some helpful nudging (threats?) from President-elect Donald Trump, two of them changed their minds, giving the speakership to Johnson.
For the tens of millions of Americans who voted to return Trump to the White House, this is excellent news.
Trump won the 2024 election because he spoke to voters’ top concerns: inflation and border security. These priorities are mirrored by Johnson, as well as new GOP Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota.
Republicans hold control of the White House and Congress, but only by a slim margin, so they will need to work together – and even get some Democrats on board – to pass their most important legislation.
And they can count on only the next two years to accomplish their to-do list, as voters may be ready to go in a different direction in the midterm elections (depending on how Republicans govern this year and next).
This is Republicans’ chance to show the country what conservatism in practice looks like. They've just gotten started, but I was encouraged by what I heard from Congress’ new GOP leaders on Friday.
Johnson offers excellent defense of US and our government
In his first speech on the floor after securing the gavel, Johnson delivered an inspiring reminder of what our country is all about – and how the principles of conservatism can help keep it great.
He also promised to make securing the border and fighting inflation his chamber’s first tasks.
Here is what he said about what makes us “explicitly American,” which is worth hearing in his own words:
“We don’t try to be like other nations, and we recognize that a strong America is good for the entire world, and everybody around the globe knows that. We also recognize that the core principles that made America what we are must still be preserved today … individual freedom, limited government, the rule of law, peace through strength, fiscal responsibility, free markets, human dignity. These are the ingredients that made us who we are, and in America we know that human flourishing is best achieved by adherence to time-tested truths.”
Those principles should be required as a checklist for any new legislative proposals.
Thune is a sound leader committed to preserving the Senate
The new Senate majority leader similarly offered a strong defense of our government and what he sees as the top priorities. As he noted, his members have “a lot of work to do.”
Thune said: “2025 will be intense, but we have a real opportunity here to deliver for the American people on continued tax relief, on border security. And on national security and beyond.”
His commitment to preserving the Senate as it currently operates was especially encouraging. Thune said he is against any efforts to end the filibuster, which requires a higher threshold to pass legislation.
“There are a lot of people out there who would like to see the Senate turn into a copy of the House of Representatives,” Thune said. “And that is not what our founders intended or what our country needs.”
He’s right about that. And it’s in direct contrast to what Democrats, including President Joe Biden, tried to do in 2022 when they wanted to suspend the filibuster. Luckily, they didn’t get their way on that shortsighted scheme.
Americans have entrusted these Republicans with delivering results. They’re off to a good start and have chosen respectable leaders for Congress. And Trump seems committed to working with them.
I hope they don’t screw it up.
Ingrid Jacques is a columnist at Paste BN. Contact her at ijacques@usatoday.com or on X, formerly Twitter: @Ingrid_Jacques