September 30, 2023
WASHINGTON—Many House Republicans are experiencing buyer’s remorse, yet they’re saddled with Speaker Mike Johnson for the foreseeable future. The feeling seems mutual.
Johnson still smiles for the cameras, but his future as a speaker is uncertain. Rank-and-file Republicans say he’s not a fighter like those running atop the GOP ticket this fall.
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“The public is thirsty to fight for something,” Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) told Raw Story after voting against a measure averting a government shutdown Wednesday. “You don’t have to win every fight, but you got to fight. We’re just not fighting.”
This week, after 11 months of overseeing bruisingly embarrassing internal GOP squabbles, Johnson could hardly wait to gavel the House of Representatives into an extended recess through Election Day, which he did Wednesday after canceling this Thursday and Friday’s planned legislative days on Capitol Hill.
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“Mike is the leader right now, and he’s got a tough job,” Norman said. “Nancy Pelosi knew how to operate in the realm of — she understood leverage. And she understood how to get it passed.”
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Johnson has learned that to get things passed, he must reach across the aisle and rely on Democrats. This was on display this week when 209 Democrats helped Johnson and the GOP do the basic work of Congress and fund the federal government through the election. On the GOP side of the aisle, 82 Republicans opposed the measure.
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Leaning on Democrats to run the House only enrages Johnson’s right flank even more. They’re itching for more fights while hoping their ranks of rabble-rousers grow this November.
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“America always loses when these clowns,” Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) vented Wednesday to reporters on the Capitol steps.
“Did you see what just happened right now? They all applauded because we’re leaving a day early. ‘Oh, we get to go home a day early,’” Roy said. “The hardworking average American out there doesn’t usually leave a day early. They need a government that’s not incompetent.”
Roy, now on his third term, and other relatively newer members of the GOP feel they were sent here to upend Washington, including their own party.
Story Continues
R&I – TP
Bugs Marlowe