It’s been a busy Wednesday in the House of Representatives. First, Hunter Biden showed up to his contempt of Congress hearing (he quickly fled), then tensions erupted when a small group of Republicans killed a routine procedural vote in what was seen as a sign of displeasure with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and his recently negotiated $1.7 trillion spending bill.
Reports allege that Johnson got into it with Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX):
Tensions flared in the Capitol as Republicans rebelled against their own party on a normally sleepy procedural vote. It's temporarily paralyzed the House floor — Freedom Caucus Chair Bob Good, R-Va., one of the rebels who tanked the vote, suggested they would do so again if they don't get certain commitments from Johnson on spending and the border.
It was followed by what appeared to be a heated confrontation between Johnson and Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, who has been leading criticism of the GOP leader since the government spending deal was announced.
The pair were seen animatedly pointing and shaking their heads, and a group of lawmakers and staffers grew around them, presumably to prevent things from escalating. Roy had led an effort to tank the vote:
Thirteen members of the House Freedom Caucus and their allies voted against Republicans to sink what's known as a rule vote, a major public setback for House Republican leaders as they deal with just a two-seat majority right now.
Roy has been critical of Johnson before and has even threatened to take steps to remove him from the position of Speaker. Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) knows all about that, as similar spending concerns led to a Matt Gaetz-led effort which ended in his ouster in October 2023.
Chip Roy on potentially ousting Speaker Johnson over spending deal: "It isn't good and there's a lot of my colleagues who are pretty frustrated about it, so we'll see what happens." pic.twitter.com/PUjFSEZl13
— TheBlaze (@theblaze) January 9, 2024
Freedom Caucus Chair Bob Good (R-VA), who helped derail the vote, voiced his criticisms of the budget deal:
We're making a statement that the deal — as has been announced, that doesn't secure the border, and that doesn't cut our spending and it's going to be passed apparently under suspension of the rules with predominantly Democrat votes — is unacceptable.
Utah Sen. Mike Lee (R) has in the past sided with the Freedom Caucus, and on Monday he posted a tweet expressing his dismay with the bill:
The Law Firm of Schumer, McConnell, Johnson & Jeffries has not served Republicans (or Americans) well.
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) January 9, 2024
This spending package is a huge victory—for Democrats, for The Swamp, and for The Firm.
It’s bad for everyone else—especially Republicans.https://t.co/zMtcEvu3ku
Johnson is in the unenviable position of trying to get a spending bill passed when he has only a two-seat majority in the House and the Dems control the Senate. Budget issues have been contentious since the GOP took control after the 2022 midterm elections, with the Freedom Caucus wanting more solutions at the border and less overall spending.
Caucus members were seen heading into Johnson's office after the confrontation. RedState will bring you updates as they occur.
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