‘It’s Gonna Be Very Close’: Republican Speaker’s Job On The Line
Republicans in disarray despite election wins
Republicans find themselves in disarray — and their House speaker’s future in doubt — despite November elections in which they won all branches of government.
Republicans have been feuding for weeks, over federal spending and immigration among other issues, and that chaos is spilling over to their election of one of their own to lead the House.
Johnson, who has led the House for a little more than a year, now finds his future in the job under a cloud as some of his Republican colleagues are displeased with his reliance on House Democrats to pass federal spending bills.
Johnson finds himself fighting to remain speaker at a time Republicans will have one of the smallest majorities in US history. He can’t afford to lose almost any Republican votes as Democrats are expected to remain unified in their votes for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jefferies, of New York, as speaker.
Election of a House speaker traditionally is a formality, but not recently under Republicans.
Two years ago it took days — and 15 rounds of voting — finally to settle on then-Rep Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif) for speaker.
Republican infighting in the House portends potential weakness as right-wing lawmakers will attempt to enact Trump’s far-right agenda.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky) declared Thursday that he plans to stand firm in opposition to Johnson.
“You can pull all my fingernails out, you can shove bamboo up in them, you can start cutting off my fingers. I am not voting for Mike Johnson tomorrow, and you can take that to the bank.”
“I think it’s gonna be very close,” Rep Tim Burchett (R-Tenn) said of Friday’s selection for speaker.
Johnson, himself, didn't sound entirely confident.
“Do you feel you’ll get elected in the first ballot?” a reporter asked as Johnson walked the halls of Congress.
“I think so. I think so,” Johnson replied.
Please support our work…
Please subscribe…