House Speaker Mike Johnson told Republican lawmakers at the Republican National Committee’s Midterm Convention that the party will continue advancing its legislative agenda before the new Congress convenes in January.
Republicans currently hold a guaranteed majority in the House of Representatives until January, and party leaders say they are using the remaining weeks of the session to pass bills that would cement their priorities into law. This legislative push is seen as a way to secure key conservative policies before the possibility of a shift in control after the upcoming midterm elections.
The effort is focused on codifying President Donald Trump’s executive orders and policies, particularly those related to border security and restricting sanctuary cities. GOP leaders argue that making these policies permanent through legislation will prevent them from being easily reversed by a future Congress or administration.
Johnson’s Call for Action
Speaking Thursday night in Dallas, Johnson emphasized the urgency of the moment, telling fellow Republicans that they are "not done yet" and urging the party to act decisively before Democrats could potentially regain control of the House. He described the current Congress as "the most productive in 80 years," noting that over 900 pieces of legislation have been passed during this session. Among these, he highlighted the repeated passage of the SAVE America Act, which he cited as a key achievement.
"We’re not just running to decide the majority of Congress for the next two years. It now falls to us to fight to preserve the country that we all love. It’s now being attacked from within," Johnson said. He warned that if Democrats win the majority, "next year there will be communists in Congress," underscoring what he sees as the high stakes of the legislative sprint.
Johnson’s remarks reflect a broader Republican strategy to use their remaining time in the majority to advance conservative measures, particularly those that align with Trump-era priorities. The sense of urgency is driven by concerns that a change in control could lead to the reversal of policies enacted over the past several years.
Focus on Border and Sanctuary City Policies
Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, told the Daily Signal that Republicans should prioritize codifying Trump’s executive orders, especially on fiscal and border issues. "We ought to be doing as much as we practically can to get as many of the president’s executive orders codified into law," Gill said. He identified sanctuary cities as "priority No. 1" for the party, followed by policies aimed at preventing waste of taxpayer dollars as "priority No. 2."
Gill argued that these issues resonate with voters across party lines, including some Democrats outside of Washington, D.C. He said that making Trump’s border and fiscal policies permanent would help address concerns about illegal immigration and government spending.
Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., echoed these sentiments, calling for an end to sanctuary cities and states. "The vast majority of Americans agree with that," Lawler said. He expressed support for a vote to enshrine Trump’s border policies into law, arguing that this would prevent a return to what he described as lax enforcement under former President Joe Biden.
Both Gill and Lawler emphasized that the current window of Republican control presents a unique opportunity to pass legislation that could have lasting effects on immigration and fiscal policy. They contend that failing to act now could make it more difficult to address these issues in the future.
Personal Stories and Political Stakes
On the convention’s second day, Lawler brought the family of Sheridan Gorman on stage to highlight the impact of sanctuary city policies. Gorman was killed by a person in the country illegally, and her family urged voters to support Republican candidates to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Lawler used the Gorman family’s story to argue that "sanctuary jurisdictions need to end" and that current border policies should be made permanent. He warned that failing to do so could result in "the floodgates" opening at the border, leading to increased illegal immigration. Lawler also criticized Democrats, saying they have refused to enforce stricter border measures.
Democratic leaders and supporters of sanctuary city policies have not responded to the specific criticisms raised at the convention. The debate over sanctuary cities and border security remains a central issue in the broader political contest leading up to the midterm elections.
Broader Context and Next Steps
The Republican push to pass conservative legislation comes as the party seeks to solidify its policy gains before the next Congress is seated. With the midterm elections approaching, GOP leaders are framing the legislative sprint as a defense against potential Democratic control and a way to ensure Trump-era policies remain in place.
The House is expected to consider additional measures on border security and sanctuary cities in the coming weeks. Republican lawmakers aim to bring these issues to a vote before January, hoping to lock in their priorities and present a unified message to voters ahead of the elections.
As the legislative calendar winds down, the outcome of these efforts will likely shape the policy landscape for the next Congress and play a significant role in the ongoing debate over immigration, government spending, and the direction of the country.
