Freedom Caucus members Andrew Clyde, Michael Cloud and Andy Harris huddled on the House floor on Jan. 3, 2025. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images.

A group of nearly a dozen right-wing House Republicans on Friday released a list of demands they want Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to fulfill in order to keep the speaker’s gavel.

Why it matters: It’s enough members to force a vote on removing Johnson later on — meaning the newly reelected speaker has to take them seriously.

• Johnson got his first taste of rebellion Friday as a trio of holdouts nearly derailed his reelection bid — with two relenting only after a 45-minute standoff.
• Now, the right-wing hardliners who voted for him only reluctantly are unveiling a checklist for how he can keep his gavel.

Driving the news: In a letter to their Republican colleagues, 11 members of the House Freedom Caucus board wrote that they voted for Johnson “despite our serious reservations” about his track record.

• The letter includes a list of demands for Johnson, urging him to modify the House calendar to have more days in session and ensure that Republicans’ reconciliation package cuts the deficit.
• It also demands votes on border security, spending cuts, reversing Biden administration environmental policies and election reform.
• The letter was led by Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.), the chair of the right-wing group.

What they’re saying: There is always room to negotiate on so-called “leadership” positions under the rules; in the meantime, each one of our election certificates is still equal,” the lawmakers wrote.

• “Personalities can be debated later, but right now there is zero room for error on the policies the American people demanded when they voted for President Trump … We demand the House of Representatives deliver — quickly.”