After Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) struck a deal with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) for a topline spending figure ahead of several looming appropriations bill deadlines, at least one hardline Republican has floated ousting him. But others aren’t quite sold on considering the option yet after the chaos that followed former speaker and California Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s ouster last year.
Noting the Republican Party’s seemingly ever-shrinking House majority, along with the Democratic-controlled Senate and White House, Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID) said, “I don’t know what he would have done differently.”
“He handled the cards he was dealt,” he added.
Hardline Freedom Caucus member Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) made headlines this week when he refused to take a potential motion to vacate off the table for Johnson, despite his only being in the position for 77 days. But few others have expressed a similar sentiment.
Another hardline conservative, Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), said he was currently “agnostic” on potentially removing Johnson, according to Politico.
Biggs explained, “I’m hearing from a number of people” about ousting the speaker, “but I’m not encouraging or participating in that.”
Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) dispelled speculation of Republicans looking to vacate Johnson from the speakership. “We’ve just got to have a backbone,” he said.
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“Mike hasn’t had time. He’s a good man, he’s honest. We’re just going to have to work through this,” he added, urging patience among his conference.
The first funding deadline is approaching on Jan. 19.
