Speaker Mike Johnson has called the House back into session after declining to convene during the recent shutdown, and now faces a flood of overdue legislative priorities and political pressure from all sides.

Mike Johnson’s decision to recall lawmakers ends a brief but consequential pause in House activity and puts him squarely in charge of the next moves. Conservatives expect him to use that leverage to push priorities like spending restraint and border security. Moderates and vulnerable members will press for measures that avoid chaos for constituents. The recall is both a tactical reset and a test of Johnson’s command of the chamber.

The most immediate challenge is sorting a pile of must-pass funding decisions that were delayed. Many House conservatives want deep cuts and strict policy riders attached to any continuing resolution. Those demands clash with the Senate and White House, where Democrats and some Republicans favor smoother short-term fixes. Johnson must juggle that push-and-pull while keeping a narrow majority intact.

Border security will dominate the agenda because it’s the political and practical hotspot voters cite most. GOP lawmakers who campaigned on tougher enforcement expect concrete wins, not vague promises. Johnson can either align the House with a hardline approach that satisfies the base or seek bipartisan tweaks that reduce friction in the Senate. Either route will shape his standing with the conference.

Spending is another pressure point, especially with constituency services and federal salaries on the line. Conservatives argue that government must be reined in, and they want spending bills tied to policy reforms. Democrats will warn that shutting down services hurts families and the economy. Johnson must make a case that fiscal responsibility doesn’t equal neglect, and he’ll need votes to prove it.

Behind the scenes, negotiations with the Senate and the White House will define what actually reaches the floor. The House can draft bold, conservative measures, but those proposals face a tougher Senate arithmetic. Johnson’s role is to craft proposals that keep his members together long enough to force meaningful concessions. If he fails, he risks being squeezed between his conference and the other branches of government.

Political optics matter at every turn; voters notice who appears to govern and who sows gridlock. Calling lawmakers back into session signals responsibility and accountability after a shutdown. It also hands opponents a chance to paint the GOP as inflexible if the session stalls. Johnson has to communicate a clear plan that shows progress without selling out core principles.

Rank-and-file members are already lining up with competing priorities: some want immigration overhauls, others want spending caps, and a few are focused on targeted relief measures for constituents. The Speaker has limited calendar control, so deciding which bills get a vote is real power. How he exercises that power will determine whether the conference views him as a unifier or a caretaker.

There is also the calendar pressure of deadlines tied to funding, payments, and federal operations. Missed deadlines can hit markets and federal workers, and opponents will exploit any missteps. Johnson needs to balance urgency with strategy, avoiding headline-grabbing standstills that do more harm than good. Members will watch whether he moves quickly and smartly.

Lawmakers will test procedural tools to advance or block measures, and committee chairs will be under intense scrutiny to produce workable language. Expect amendments, motions, and parliamentary battles as factions try to shape outcomes. Johnson’s ability to manage those skirmishes without fracturing the conference is critical to keeping control of the legislative calendar.

If Johnson navigates the recall well, he can claim momentum and leverage in negotiations with the Senate and the White House. If he stumbles, opponents inside and outside the conference will press for changes in strategy or leadership. The coming days will reveal whether this recall is a reset that advances conservative goals or a short reprieve before tougher fights.