Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) gathered privately for a “productive” assembly final week, a supply accustomed to the state of affairs and the congresswoman advised The Hill, the newest signal of easing tensions between the 2.
The huddle — which passed off Wednesday evening of final week and ran for greater than half-hour, in accordance with the supply — was described as “productive” by Greene. She declined to reveal specifics on what they mentioned.
It got here hours after Home GOP lawmakers unanimously nominated Johnson to stay within the high job subsequent yr, a big feat for the Louisiana Republican after going through some resistance inside the convention. And it passed off because the Jan. 3 Speaker vote on the Home ground inches nearer, when Johnson will once more want near-unanimous help from the convention to win the gavel.
Johnson’s unanimous help final week included backing from Greene, who had emerged as one of many Speaker’s sharpest critics all through his tenure within the high job — going so far as to guide a movement to vacate towards the Louisiana Republican in Might, which failed.
Greene, nevertheless, has appeared to alter her tune this month, as President-elect Trump prepares to regulate the White Home subsequent yr and Republicans put together for full management of Washington.
That new posture was evident final week when Greene — on the eve of Johnson’s unanimous Speaker nomination — didn’t rule out supporting Johnson’s bid to maintain the gavel.
“Well, I think he’s the only one running for Speaker, so I don’t understand everybody asking this question,” she mentioned. “The American people overwhelmingly voted for President Trump’s agenda, not anyone else’s agenda, President Trump’s agenda, MAGA agenda, America First agenda. And I think that’s a mandate from the American people. So, I think whoever’s in charge here in the House, their job is to pass President Trump’s agenda.”
Pressed by The Hill on these feedback — recognizing that it seems like she was not ruling out opposing Johnson on the ground regardless of her previous criticism — Greene as soon as once more left the door open.
“What I’ve been critical of is passing the Biden-Harris agenda in the House that’s funding, fully funding, an agenda that [Senate Majority Leader] Chuck Schumer [D-N.Y.] loved so much he passed it right through the Senate, reauthorizing FISA and warrantless spying on Americans and giving $60 billion to Ukraine,” Greene mentioned. “But I really don’t think that’ll happen under President Trump. I’m sure he will never allow that, and neither will the American people.”
The openness to supporting Johnson — and her description of a “productive meeting” final week — mark a pointy change within the pair’s relationship, which has been marked by bitter pressure.
Greene’s opposition to Johnson reached a fever pitch in Might, when the Georgia Republican introduced a movement to vacate towards the Speaker, which failed amid opposition from lawmakers in each events. Solely 11 Republicans voted towards tabling the measure. Greene had been essential of Johnson for serving to transfer a roughly $61 billion support bundle for Ukraine, and supporting the reauthorization of warrantless spying powers.
