Dem
51
GOP
49
The Freedom Caucus, as we have noted many times, is not happy with the budget deal struck by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA). And yesterday, they found a way to express their pique. The House was set to debate three bills, none of which have anything to do with spending. But when it came time to adopt the rules for debate—typically a pro forma matter that features strict party-line voting—a dozen FCers rebelled and tanked the vote, which failed 203-216.
What this means is that the House is now idling in neutral while Johnson figures out what to do next. The first option is to work with the FCers and to see if they can be mollified in some way. Maybe burning a member of the Democratic Socialists at the stake, or something like that. Alternatively, Johnson can suspend the rules of the House, which would defang the FCers but would mean that the budget bills would need two-thirds support in the lower chamber. Only Johnson and his whips know if the votes are there for that. He could also go for a short-term spending bill that kicks the can down the road, but that might well face the same obstacles as the long-term spending bills.
There is, as you can imagine, much carping going on in the House GOP conference right now. For example, Rep. Bob Good (R-VA), one of the FCers, said the current budget proposal is "unacceptable." Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), who was expelled from the FC but still acts like a member, said she is "absolutely not" happy with Johnson's work as speaker. On the other hand, non-FC Republicans are angry with their far-right colleagues. "They start with 'no' for everything, and it's now become about ego and... anger, rather than real policymaking," remarked Rep. Greg Murphy (R-NC). "This is foolish," said Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-NY).
The same kind of backbiting and tantrum-throwing was the prelude to the fall of former speaker Kevin McCarthy. Maybe it presages the same for Johnson, maybe not. You never know with the Freedom Caucus. What is known is that the government will shut down in 8 days if Johnson doesn't manage to navigate a way through this mess. (Z)