Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) stated he gained’t help Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) for a second time period on Wednesday, citing issues over the persevering with decision (CR) amid earlier pressure.
When requested why he would not again his fellow Republican, Massie advised The Hill it was as a consequence of “all the grievances I had this summer, when we tried to vacate. And then this bill.”
Johnson is going through a slim Republican majority within the 119th Congress and may’t afford to lose Massie’s help, though the brink for victory can decrease if members vote “present” or are absent.
Nonetheless, the Kentucky consultant’s dissenting vote might nonetheless jeopardize Johnson’s path to management with earlier GOP seats vacated by President-elect Trump’s appointments.
Democrats are more likely to propel Home Minority chief Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) to the publish with 215 votes, leaving Johnson to scrabble for an overreaching three votes to safe the help of the 218 members required to win the place, assuming each consultant is current.
The speakership could also be up for grabs after Home Republicans criticized Johnson for Tuesday’s CR, which got here right down to the wire.
“I think that it’s shameful that people that celebrate DOGE [Department of Government Efficiency] coming in, I can’t, and yet we’re going to vote for another billion dollars to be added to the deficit, and so it’s ironic. Personally, I’m disappointed,” Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Mo.) advised reporters.
“I think that he can do better. He can communicate better,” Burlison stated of Johnson on Tuesday. “The fact that we haven’t seen the language today, and we’re supposed to vote on it this week, is unacceptable.”
Others together with Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) cited related issues initially flagged by Massie.
“People call me ‘NostraThomas’ for accurately predicting @SpeakerJohnson would use the Christmas recess to force a massive spending bill through Congress,” Massie stated Tuesday.
“After claiming he would not, Johnson is embracing a D.C. tradition that’s nearly as old as decorating Christmas trees.”
Regardless of pushback, Johnson hasn’t relented. Over the previous few weeks, he is been working to woo fellow Home members in preparation for the speaker vote.
Miranda Nazzaro contributed to this text.
