Much like his predecessor, former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Speaker Mike Johnson is facing backlash from his GOP colleagues over a recent funding deal he struck with Democrats.
House Republican hard-liners showed their dismay towards the bipartisan spending deal on Wednesday by tanking a procedural vote on an unrelated bill. The final vote on the bill was 203-216, as 13 Republicans defected to join Democrats in sinking the “rule” vote.
Among the Republicans to jump across the aisle in the vote were Reps. Chip Roy (TX), Andy Biggs (AZ), and Bob Good (VA).
NBC News reported that someone familiar with the matter said their “no” vote was made to show Johnson they aren’t happy with his spending deal.
Other notable Republicans to make their displeasure heard include Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA), who shared that she is “absolutely” not happy with how Johnson has handled the position.
“We’ve been involved in nothing,” Greene said. “The only people he seems to be negotiating with and talking to is [Senate Majority Leader Chuck] Schumer and the White House. It’s not working for us.”
The deal struck between Johnson and top Democrats would provide $1.59 trillion in spending for fiscal year 2024. While Johnson has tried to praise the deal, saying it’s “the most favorable budget agreement Republicans have achieved in over a decade,” he also acknowledged it “will not satisfy everyone, and they do not cut as much spending as many of us would like.”
Johnson was on the nose with the last remark, as many have now shared their displeasure with his deal.
“We should be cutting spending. This is a bad deal,” Freedom Caucus Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) said. “I just think, honestly, there’s too many influences in his staff and in the Senate that are influencing the speaker to make these decisions, and I think they’re bad. I think they’re the wrong decision.”
With Congress nearing its Jan. 19 deadline, House GOP leaders may need to cross party lines once again to pass the upcoming funding legislation to keep the government open or pass a continuing resolution yet again.
After meeting with House Republicans this week, Johnson did not share whether or not he would be willing to let the government shut down if he doesn’t have the necessary votes.
“I would say the pedal is to the metal right now,” Johnson said. “And I’m very hopeful and optimistic that we can meet the deadlines.”
When it comes to passing a potential continuing resolution, he said that wasn’t “ruling out anything, committing to anything, other than getting these appropriations done, and I think we can.”