Well, folks, the Republican Party is gearing up for another showdown in the House of Representatives, and this one could get messy.
Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie has made it clear: he’s not backing Speaker Mike Johnson for another term. In typical Massie fashion, he’s keeping his cards close to the chest about who he will support, but one thing’s for sure—this could throw a wrench in the GOP’s plans for a smooth start to the next Congress.
Massie’s discontent with Johnson stems largely from the speaker’s handling of the recent government spending bill. Johnson partnered with House Democrats to push through a massive spending package just before the Christmas recess, breaking a pledge he made in September to avoid a so-called “Christmas omnibus.”
For fiscal hawks like Massie, this was an unforgivable move—a betrayal of conservative principles and an unwelcome echo of business-as-usual politics.
People call me "NostraThomas" for accurately predicting @SpeakerJohnson would use the Christmas recess to force a massive spending bill through Congress.
After claiming he would not, Johnson is embracing a D.C. tradition that's nearly as old as decorating Christmas trees. pic.twitter.com/TRd1ZiCXtc
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) December 18, 2024
Massie has been vocal about his displeasure before. He even supported Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s motion to oust Johnson earlier this year, though that effort failed spectacularly in a 359-43 vote. Still, Massie’s opposition now could carry more weight if the GOP’s razor-thin majority shrinks further, as is expected.
When the new Congress convenes in January, Republicans are projected to hold a 216-215 majority. That’s thanks to President-elect Donald Trump tapping three Republican House members for roles in his administration and the recent resignation of Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, who failed to secure Senate confirmation as Trump’s pick for attorney general.
With such a slim margin, any internal dissent could throw the speakership race into chaos. All Democrats are expected to vote for Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, meaning Republicans have no room for error if they want to keep the gavel.
So far, no Republican has stepped up to challenge Johnson for the speakership. But Massie’s opposition might embolden others to throw their hats into the ring. And let’s be honest: the GOP doesn’t exactly have a track record of resolving leadership disputes quietly or quickly.
If Republicans can’t rally behind Johnson—or anyone else—it could open the door for an unprecedented scenario where Democrats gain leverage in the speakership vote.