Mike Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene clash in heated private GOP call over shutdown strategy
In a recent lawmaker-only conference call, tensions flared among House Republicans as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene confronted Speaker Mike Johnson over his strategy during the ongoing government shutdown. Johnson has been holding weekly calls to keep GOP lawmakers informed, urging them to remain in their home districts rather than convening in Washington. This approach is part of his strategy to pressure Senate Democrats into accepting the Republican funding plan. However, Greene argued that the party’s House majority is being squandered by staying away from legislative action, insisting that Republicans should be actively passing bills in Washington instead of waiting for negotiations to unfold.
Greene’s criticisms were pointed, particularly regarding the impending expiration of COVID-19 pandemic-era subsidies tied to Obamacare, which Democrats demand in exchange for any funding deal. She emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues directly, stating, “You guys need to get out of Washington, D.C., and go back to your districts and talk to real people, because real people are pissed.” Her comments reflect a growing frustration within the party about the perceived inaction and the need for a proactive legislative agenda. Despite Greene’s vocal dissent, Speaker Johnson defended his leadership and the party’s legislative record, insisting they are working tirelessly to resolve the shutdown crisis. He challenged Greene’s public airing of grievances, questioning how it aids their efforts.
This confrontation highlights a rift within the Republican Party as they navigate the complexities of the shutdown and funding negotiations. While Johnson has maintained that Republican lawmakers are still engaged in the legislative process from their districts, Greene and a few others have voiced concerns that this strategy may not be effective. The ongoing stalemate, with Senate Democrats rejecting Johnson’s short-term funding bill multiple times, adds further pressure on Republican leaders to find a resolution. Greene’s public statements during the call, including her demands for a clear healthcare plan, signal a desire for more transparency and action from the GOP leadership. As the deadline for a funding agreement looms, the dynamics within the party will be crucial to shaping their approach moving forward.
Related articles:
– Link 1
– Link 2
House Republicans held a lawmaker-only conference call on Tuesday that grew tense when Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., confronted Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., on his strategy to navigate the ongoing
government shutdown.
Johnson has been holding weekly calls to keep GOP lawmakers updated on the shutdown while instructing them to remain in their home districts rather than in Washington.
It’s part of Johnson’s pressure strategy to force Senate Democrats into accepting the GOP’s federal funding plan.
However, Fox News Digital was told that Greene forcefully countered that Republicans’ House majority was “being wasted” by staying in their districts.
BATTLEGROUND REPUBLICANS HOLD THE LINE AS JOHNSON PRESSURES DEMS ON SHUTDOWN
She said House Republicans would be better served passing legislation in Washington and finding an “off ramp” to COVID-19 pandemic-era
Obamacare subsidies
that are set to expire at the end of this year if a deal isn’t reached.
An extension of those subsidies has been Democrats’ main demand in exchange for agreeing to any funding deal.
“You guys need to get out of Washington, D.C., and go back to your districts and talk to real people, because real people are pissed,” Greene told House GOP leaders, Fox News Digital learned. “They expect us to do our legislative constitutional duty and not take marching orders from the political team at the White House.”
She turned her ire on President
Donald Trump
as well, pointing out she was one of his earliest fervent supporters but adding, “Even the president is losing support.”
Fox News Digital was told that Johnson defended Republicans’ legislative record so far as well as Trump’s popularity among the GOP base.
He also said he and other Republican leaders had been working tirelessly to end the shutdown, Fox News Digital was told.
“He’s not sleeping. I’m not sleeping … because we are working around the clock,” Johnson said.
Johnson then went further and criticized Greene for airing her concerns with the GOP’s direction on social media, asking her, “How does that help us, Marjorie?”
Several other House Republicans who spoke up defended Johnson’s handling of the shutdown, Fox News Digital was told.
Two notable exceptions were Reps. Kevin Kiley, R-Calif., and Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, who Fox News Digital was told also raised concerns about keeping the House out.
The speaker has kept the House out of Washington since Sept. 19, when his chamber passed the GOP’s short-term funding bill to give lawmakers until Nov. 21 to reach a deal on government funding.
SCREAMING MATCH ERUPTS BETWEEN HAKEEM JEFFRIES, MIKE LAWLER AS GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN CHAOS CONTINUES
But Senate Democrats have since rejected that legislation 13 times.
Johnson argued on the call that Republicans were still busy at work despite not being in Washington, Fox News Digital was told.
And while Tuesday’s confrontation marks the first time Greene made her concerns known on the House GOP’s weekly shutdown calls, she has been vocal on social media about her frustration.
Greene even confirmed her side of the account on X while the call was ongoing.
“I said I have no respect for the House not being in session passing our bills and the President’s executive orders. And I demanded to know from Speaker Johnson what the Republican plan for healthcare is to build the off-ramp off Obamacare and the [Affordable Care Act] tax credits to make health insurance affordable for Americans,” Greene wrote.
“Johnson said he’s got ideas and pages of policy ideas and committees of jurisdiction are working on it, but he refused to give one policy proposal to our GOP conference on our own conference call. Apparently I have to go into a [classified setting] to find out the Republican healthcare plan!!!”
Fox News Digital reached out to Johnson’s office and the White House for a response but did not immediately hear back.
Eric
Eric is a seasoned journalist covering US Politics news.
