Republican Confident Johnson Will Fail
Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) voiced significant concerns on Tuesday about Rep. Mike Johnson’s (R-La.) ability to secure the votes necessary to remain Speaker of the House. Despite President-elect Trump’s endorsement of Johnson, Roy remains undecided about his support for Johnson in the upcoming vote on Friday.
In an appearance on Varney & Co. on Fox Business, Roy explained that many of his colleagues, including himself, were uncertain about backing Johnson due to the challenges and setbacks the House faced in the past year. He pointed to numerous failures, particularly around spending deals, that could hinder the Republican Party’s ability to advance the agenda of President Trump.
“I remain undecided, as do a number of my colleagues,” Roy said. “We saw many failures last year that raise concerns about whether Mike can deliver on our priorities. We need leadership that will get things done, and right now, I don’t believe Johnson has the votes to win on Friday.”
While Trump’s endorsement holds weight for many Republicans, several key members, including Reps. Andy Harris (Md.), Andy Biggs (Ariz.), and Victoria Spartz (Ind.), are withholding their support for Johnson, despite his backing by the former president. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) also made it clear that Trump’s endorsement would not sway his vote, as he plans to support someone other than Johnson.
Roy further outlined the numbers game ahead, noting that Johnson can afford only one defection in the January 3rd vote, assuming all members are present and voting. With 215 Democrats expected to vote for Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), Republicans will need every vote they can muster, but there is still significant division within the GOP.
In terms of alternatives, Roy suggested that fellow Republicans Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) could be strong contenders for the Speaker’s position. He emphasized that both men are capable leaders who could unite the GOP around conservative principles.
“Mike is a friend, and he’s a good man. But if we’re looking for someone who can push the agenda forward and unite our party, I think Byron and Jim Jordan are great options,” Roy said.
Roy’s concerns are rooted in the recent failures of the House leadership, particularly the passage of a short-term spending bill ahead of Christmas. Roy criticized how the bill violated the 72-hour rule, which should give lawmakers enough time to read and review bills before voting on them. The rushed process, he argued, led to a bloated and expensive bill that ultimately failed to address America’s urgent fiscal challenges.
“The spending deal we saw last December was a disaster,” Roy stated. “We had to rely on outsiders like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to help cut a 1,500-page bill down to a manageable size. And it still spent $110 billion without proper funding.”
Roy warned that if Republicans do not address spending and commit to fiscal responsibility, the consequences could be disastrous for the American people. “If we don’t get our house in order and start cutting spending, inflation will keep rising, and families will continue to struggle,” he said. “We cannot afford to bend on these critical issues.”
As the vote approaches, Roy’s position reflects a larger divide within the GOP over how best to lead the party into the next legislative session. While Trump’s endorsement of Johnson may offer some reassurance, many Republicans, including Roy, remain focused on the need for more disciplined and effective leadership.