Johnson having 'thoughtful conversations' as conservatives push to back out of Schumer spending deal

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said he is engaging in “thoughtful conversations” about government funding as House conservatives push the Republican leader to back out of the top-line spending deal he made with Senate Democrats over the weekend.

A number of conservative lawmakers emerged from a closed-door meeting with Johnson on Thursday saying the speaker is considering backing out of the $1.66 trillion agreement he brokered with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) in exchange for a more conservative budget proposal. Although the GOP lawmakers seemed confident the deal would be bucked, Johnson emphasized no firm commitments were made.