Johnson revolt explodes over spending deal anger
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is facing a sudden flood of renewed threats against his efforts to retain his gavel on Jan. 3.
Why it matters: The resurgence of this long-nascent revolt is being spurred by frustration over a bill he negotiated with Democrats to fund the government until March.
- “There’s an increasing number of people, after what happened this week, who said they are on the fence,” Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.), the chair of the right-wing House Freedom Caucus, told Axios.
- To add insult to injury for Johnson, the offending spending bill was swiftly killed on Wednesday when President-elect Trump came out against it.
Driving the news: Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) told reporters on Wednesday that he is “not voting for” Johnson when the House meets to elect a speaker on Jan. 3.
- Massie said he will vote for an alternative candidate instead of voting “present,” meaning his vote will count against Johnson.
What we’re hearing: It may not just be Massie. Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.) told reporters on Tuesday she was undecided on whether to vote for Johnson.
- “There are going to be more that are saying he shouldn’t come back as speaker,” said Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas), who said he is also undecided.
- Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), asked about his vote for speaker, told Axios: “I’ll make my mind up in January.”
Zoom in: Right-wing Republicans inside and outside of Congress raged against Johnson for negotiating a more than 1500-page spending bill that included many legislative add-ons sought by lawmakers in both parties.
- In addition to a lack of spending cuts, the bill includes provisions like a congressional pay raise that conservatives balked at.
- Many lawmakers also grumbled that the deal was negotiated by leadership without the buy-in of rank-and-file members.
By the numbers: Johnson is set to have a 219-215 majority when Congress meets Jan. 3, meaning he could only lose a single GOP vote and still be elected speaker.
- For months he had appeared to be on a glide-path to reelection, bolstered by the backing of Trump.
- Even some Republicans who led the charge to oust him spring said they planned to vote for him as recently as last month.
What they’re saying: “If Mike Johnson wants to continue to be the speaker, he’s going to have to get Democrats to support him. Otherwise, it will be tough for him,” Nehls said.
