Speaker Johnson defends spending deal with Dems as right-wingers cry 'sham': 'We have to govern'

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., defended the spending deal forged with the Senate's Democratic majority, telling Fox News that House Republicans "have to govern," and understand the realities of a historically thin two-vote majority.

Johnson underlined he remains a "conservative hardliner" just as he was as a rank-and-file congressman, despite objections from House Freedom Caucus members – several of whom tanked a procedural rule vote on Wednesday to express their objection.

On "The Story," anchor Martha MacCallum noted she has heard criticisms of Johnson's deal from conservative Reps. Chip Roy, R-Texas, and Ralph Norman, R-S.C.

Johnson said the two lawmakers remain good friends, and that he has reiterated to them his conservative credentials and his position that the deal, while not a conservative legislative pass of "Hail Mary" proportions, takes the right steps toward fiscal responsibility.

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"We negotiated a cut from some of the side deals that were previously determined," he said.

"So we're adding another $16 billion in cuts. We're taking $10 billion out of the IRS slush fund, another $6.1 [billion] out of the COVID slush funds – These were big priorities for the Democrats, we've added that in. So we've improved it and what we're doing now is putting ourselves in a position to argue for our priorities…"

He noted that while House Republicans have the majority, it is still one of the thinnest in history, and that the chamber "must work with the numbers we have and get the best [deal] we can."

"I'm telling these guys, and I'll tell the American people, we're going to work every single day to get the best possible outcome," he said.

Nonetheless,