Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) has become the first Republican to publicly announce he will not support Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) in the upcoming January speakership vote, following backlash over a massive spending bill released Tuesday evening. The bill, a 1,537-page continuing resolution (CR), has sparked outrage among conservative lawmakers, who argue it contradicts the mandate given by voters in the November elections.
The controversial measure, negotiated by Speaker Johnson, includes provisions that many Republicans say go against conservative principles. Among the provisions are a pay raise for members of Congress and a one-year extension of the State Department’s Global Engagement Center (GEC), which funds organizations that censor conservative media. Additionally, the bill allows lawmakers to opt out of Obamacare, further angering conservatives who feel betrayed by Johnson’s handling of the bill.
Massie expressed his frustration, stating, “I’ll vote for somebody else. I’ve got a few in mind. I’m not going to say yet,” according to Politico. On social media, Massie criticized Johnson for embracing the typical D.C. tradition of passing large spending bills during the Christmas recess, despite Johnson’s prior claims that he would avoid such a move. Massie’s remarks have fueled speculation that other Republicans may also refuse to support Johnson, with rumors circulating about potential challengers like Reps. Jim Jordan and Tom Emmer.
The spending bill has led to a wave of frustration among Republicans in both the House and Senate. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) condemned the bill, calling Johnson “a weak, weak man” for embracing the spending package, while Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) questioned why House Republican leadership negotiated the bill as if they had lost the election. Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) also expressed his disappointment, saying, “So Congress is failing the American people AGAIN and giving themselves a raise in the process? Can’t make this stuff up,” and announced he would be voting “NO.”
As the January speakership vote approaches, it remains to be seen whether Massie’s stance will lead to a larger movement against Johnson within the Republican Party. For now, the frustration and disillusionment within the GOP ranks seem to be growing.
