Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) isn't happy about the Republican deal with Democrats in the Senate to solve the immigration crisis and to keep the government open. Instead, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is expected to support another continuing resolution.
While the vote will require Democratic support to pass, Johnson now must face off against Gaetz and other so-called Freedom Caucus members, who voted to remove former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) for doing the same thing.
Taking to social media Friday, Gaetz demanded that the U.S. border be closed completely. On Saturday, Gaetz posted his displeasure with the deal Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) negotiated, calling it a "disaster."
The Washington Post explained that Johnson was ready to solve all the problems when he came into the Speaker's office. Then he found out how difficult it was to appease everyone, including the far-right.
"It’s a question colleagues say Johnson is still struggling with. Just shy of his 100th day serving as Speaker of the House, Johnson has had to gather the reins of an unruly conference that at every turn has tested his ability to steady them," the report said. "A proud staunch conservative, Johnson had believed his reputation within the House Freedom Caucus would help manage their demands in a way that former speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) could not."
Johnson could be the name behind passing landmark immigration laws that have been impossible since President Ronald Reagan's administration. After Lankford's negotiations, Johnson called it a nonstarter. In fact, he posted on social media: "Absolutely not." The Schumer/Lankford deal isn't all that dissimilar to the deal McCarthy and President Joe Biden made earlier in 2023.
The Post explained that after speaking with two dozen Republican lawmakers and aides, the members aren't happy with Johnson.
"It became clear that frustration is growing with Johnson," the report said. "Governing conservatives, who are tired of the antics of the far right, fear he remains too focused on appeasing them when they won’t be happy regardless of the decisions he makes. But Johnson can’t ignore hard-liners, either. He faces mounting pressure from the emboldened right flank — that is privately telegraphing plans to gum up the legislative process on the House floor — and could face efforts to remove him from the speakership over how he handles negotiations on spending and border security."
The report told about an incident where Rep. Bob Good (R-VA) unleashed on Johnson for the deal.
"When Good implied that Johnson was abandoning his far-right principles, Johnson grew visibly frustrated, telling Good that no one can challenge his conservative credentials, especially when he’s trying to do the right thing by keeping the government operating," the report explained.
Twelve Republicans put a hold on all House business until Johnson spoke to them and agreed to hear their grievances. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) threatened to remove Johnson altogether.
“If we just band together, we’d be okay,” Rep. Max L. Miller (R-OH) promised. “The speaker has no leverage because we’re not unified … Right now, we’re a little bit broken.”
In a Sunday night tweet, the Freedom Caucus said they were completely opposed to another continuing resolution.
