House GOP Hardliners Furious with Government Funding Talks, Threaten to Withhold Support for Speaker Mike Johnson
House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing backlash from hardline Republicans over the ongoing government funding talks, with some threatening to withhold their support for his speakership in January if he doesn’t address their concerns.
The latest development is a short-term extension of current government funding levels, known as a continuing resolution (CR), which must pass the House and Senate by the end of Friday to avoid a partial government shutdown just before the holidays.
However, some lawmakers are expressing anger and frustration over the process, accusing Johnson of using President-elect Donald Trump’s support for his own gain and failing to deliver on promises of a “clean” CR without added policy riders.
“The speaker definitely has some ‘no’ votes and some people considering their options,” said a GOP lawmaker, speaking anonymously.
Rep. Scott Perry, a former House Freedom Caucus chairman, said that some Republicans could initially vote against Johnson on January 3 if he doesn’t deliver on their demands.
Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., also expressed frustration, saying, “There’s always consequences” when asked about Johnson’s handling of government spending.
Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., was furious about health care provisions included in the latest discussions, which would weaken the power of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). He accused Johnson of breaking his promise of a “clean” CR.
Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, called the CR “disastrous” and slammed the inclusion of a provision expanding ethanol sales, saying, “E15 should not be in this disastrous CR/Supplemental… It’s not the way to do business.”
Rep. Scott Fitzgerald, R-Wis., expressed concerns about farm policy provisions in the CR, which he said could hinder negotiations on a new Farm Bill.
Johnson has dismissed concerns about his job, saying, “I’m not worried about the speaker vote. We’re governing. Everybody knows we have difficult circumstances. We’re doing the very best we can under those circumstances.”