Washington, Nov 6 (IANS): Louisiana Republican Mike Johnson has been cutting a high profile negotiation with US President Joe Biden and top Democrats including Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer for a deal on funding Israel and Ukraine together and keeping the treasury open beyond November 17 amid flak from hardliners in the GOP.
However, the Congressmen say, the honeymoon is going to be short lived.
Propelled to instant fame from relative obscurity, Johnson finds himself playing a pivotal role in the Congress navigating new relationships, a potential government shutdown and two wars: "This is like an F5 hurricane", US media reports said of his new found high profile role from a back bencher in the house.
One of the most unassuming and unrecognizable lawmakers in Congress, Rep. Mike Johnson has been thrust into the eye of the storm when he won the speaker’s gavel last week. Suddenly, the low-key Louisiana Republican who was elected in 2016,found himself being trailed by a large security detail, holding one-on-one meetings with world leaders and dealing with two wars and another potential government shutdown.
Tourists in the Capitol asked to take photos with the once-obscure backbencher, USA Today said in a report.
"I'm from Louisiana, so I describe everything in either football or hurricane metaphors," Johnson said when asked by NBC News how his life had changed.
"Let me say, this is like an F5 hurricane."
Congress bristles with political landmines and Johnson has successfully navigated -- and survived -- his first full legislative week as speaker of the House.
The first press meet, Johnson survived with no gaffes or viral exchanges; fielded a slew of questions from Senate Republicans on everything from foreign aid to government funding during a private meeting; and shepherded an Israel-only aid package in the house uniting both parties, that has landed at the Senate's doorwith democrats calling it Dead on Arrival".
Johnson did some heavy weight lifting getting 12 democrats to vote for the Israel only military package of$14.3 billion which 196 Democrats opposed.
Another government shutdown looms large on November 17, which Johnson has to negotiate with President Joe Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., risking the firestorm from the GOP hardliners to keep the government open and deliver aid to Ukraine and Israel.
"He's testing his wings. He's a fledgling out of the nest," Rep. Brian Babin, R-Texas, said of Johnson's start as speaker.
"But he is the leader of a very powerful coalition of Republican House members."
Johnson held the number 7 position in the GOP conference as vice chairman behind bigshots like Reps. Steve Scalise, House Majority Leader, Tom Emmer, Chief Whip, and Elise Stefanik.