House Speaker Mike Johnson faces internal GOP dissent as Marjorie Taylor Greene criticizes his leadership and alignment with President Biden’s agenda.
At a Glance
- Marjorie Taylor Greene blames Johnson for GOP’s slim House majority despite Trump’s electoral success
- Greene accuses Johnson of fully passing the Biden-Harris agenda
- Trump endorses Johnson to continue as House Speaker, potentially fortifying his position
- Johnson needs at least 218 votes in January to remain Speaker, with Republicans projected to control 217 seats
- Greene introduced a resolution to remove Johnson as Speaker in May over spending proposals
Greene’s Criticism of Johnson’s Leadership
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is facing internal opposition within the Republican Party, led by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA). Greene has been particularly vocal about her disapproval of Johnson’s leadership, citing the GOP’s underwhelming performance in recent House elections and his apparent alignment with President Biden’s economic agenda.
Greene argues that the Republican Party should have secured a larger majority in the House, given President-elect Donald Trump’s electoral success. Trump defeated Kamala Harris by 85 Electoral College votes and led by 3 million in the popular vote. Despite this victory at the presidential level, the GOP’s performance in congressional races has been less impressive.
Marjorie Taylor Greene Slams Speaker Mike Johnson, House GOP: 'We Should Have a Major Majority, a Supermajority!' https://t.co/P16VegQbxB
— Mediaite (@Mediaite) November 13, 2024
Contentious Spending Deals and GOP Majority
A major point of contention for Greene is Johnson’s support for federal spending deals that she believes undermine the conservative agenda. In May, Greene introduced a resolution to remove Johnson as Speaker over his endorsement of a $1.2 trillion spending proposal. She further opposed a $1.6 trillion government funding deal in September, criticizing it for supporting what she termed as the Green New Deal.
Greene’s criticism extends to Johnson’s overall leadership, accusing him of fully passing the Biden-Harris agenda. This alignment, she argues, limits the party’s chances of widening their congressional majority and undermines the conservative mandate she believes the American people have given.
Trump’s Support and Johnson’s Position
Despite the internal dissent, Johnson’s position appears to be fortified by the support of President-elect Donald Trump. During a closed-door meeting with GOP lawmakers, Trump endorsed Johnson to continue as House Speaker, stating he “100%” backed Johnson. This endorsement could prove crucial for Johnson as he faces a confirmation vote in early January.
Trump’s satisfaction with the House GOP’s performance stands in contrast to Greene’s criticism. The former president reportedly told lawmakers, “We won, which is great because Republicans aren’t supposed to be winning the majority.” This divergence in views between Trump and Greene adds another layer of complexity to the internal GOP dynamics.
Challenges Ahead for Johnson
As Johnson contends with these internal pressures, the challenge remains in maintaining party unity and securing his position as Speaker. To remain in his role, Johnson needs at least 218 votes in the upcoming confirmation vote. With Republicans projected to control at least 217 seats, and only five of the remaining undecided races leaning Republican, Johnson’s margin for securing the speakership is narrow.
The coming weeks will be crucial for Johnson as he navigates these internal party tensions and works to address the critiques regarding the effectiveness of the current Congress. The outcome of this internal debate could have significant implications for the Republican Party’s unity and its ability to advance its agenda in the House.
Sources:
Marjorie Taylor Greene Takes New Swipe at Mike Johnson
MTG blames Johnson for GOP scraping together thin House majority
