House Republicans are urging Speaker Mike Johnson to avoid any potential “side deals” with the GOP rebels threatening to oust him.
Johnson convened a second meeting with Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie on Tuesday afternoon, following a two-hour closed-door meeting on Monday where they presented several demands. The demands included assurances against further Ukraine aid votes, defunding the investigation of former President Trump, and implementing the Hastert rule, which requires majority GOP support for any legislation to reach a House-wide vote.
Greene confirmed the requests upon arriving at Johnson’s office for their second meeting. She described them as “the right things to do” for the GOP conference.
Some House Republicans, such as Rep. Dan Meuser, dismissed the requests as “nonsense” and expressed confidence that Johnson would not acquiesce. Others, while acknowledging the concerns about side deals given the razor-thin Republican majority, emphasized the need to move forward.
Johnson, during his weekly press conference, dismissed the notion of “negotiation” and emphasized that he engages in “lengthy discussions” with all members to assess their ideas. He maintained that he evaluates each proposal on its own merit and seeks improvements wherever possible.
Despite the pressure from the GOP rebels, Johnson remains resolute in his commitment to listening to all members and making decisions based on the best interests of the conference.
