Tensions were high among House Republicans on Tuesday as a group of GOP hardliners threatened to protest Speaker Mike Johnson’s leadership during the next day’s House GOP Conference leadership elections. Members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus were reportedly exploring ways to show their discontent with House GOP leaders during the closed-door races to decide who will likely lead the majority next year.
The discontent stemmed from proposed rule changes that the House GOP Conference would vote on, including a measure to punish colleagues who purposely sink their own party’s legislation on the House floor by stripping their committee assignments. While Johnson stated he would not support punitive measures against those who blockade the House floor, some members indicated that this stance might not be sufficient.
Reports suggested that Freedom Caucus members were considering fielding a candidate to challenge Johnson, with the group's chairman not ruling out the possibility. However, as of Tuesday night, no specific candidate had emerged, though conservatives could still rally around someone.
The potential discord within the GOP comes as President-elect Donald Trump plans to address House Republicans on Wednesday morning ahead of their leadership races. Some GOP lawmakers expressed frustration at the prospect of renewed chaos within the party, particularly as Republicans were set to control all levers of power in Washington.
Concerns were raised about the possibility of a messy House floor fight over the speakership, similar to the challenges faced by ex-Speaker Kevin McCarthy nearly two years ago. Lawmakers emphasized the need to focus on their legislative work rather than engaging in political games and conflicts.
Despite the tensions, some GOP members who had criticized Johnson in the past signaled little interest in supporting a challenger against him, especially if Trump were to endorse the speaker. The situation highlighted the internal dynamics and potential divisions within the House Republican Party as they prepared for leadership elections.
