House GOP members have voiced concerns over Speaker Johnson's leadership during the ongoing discussions to fund the government. A key issue is the continuing resolution (CR) that needs approval by December 20 to avert a government shutdown.

Some members are contemplating opposing Johnson in the forthcoming Speaker election due to dissatisfaction with his management of the CR.

Despite winning unanimous support in a previous closed-door Republican election, Johnson needs nearly the same level of backing in the January full House vote to retain his position.

GOP Lawmakers Express Frustration Over CR Negotiations

Representative Scott Perry has hinted at the possibility of Republicans voting against Johnson on January 3, depending on how he handles the CR situation.

Similarly, Representative Ralph Norman indicated that the outcome of the CR could impact Johnson's support in the January vote for Speaker.

Last-minute additions to the CR have caught several GOP members off guard, as they expected a resolution free of unrelated policy riders.

Criticism Over Unexpected Policy Additions in CR

Representative Eric Burlison criticized the inclusion of healthcare provisions in the CR, contrary to promises of a "clean" funding extension.

Additionally, Representative Chip Roy condemned the CR for its length and the inclusion of multiple policies without sufficient review, singling out the expansion of ethanol sales.

As of Tuesday morning, the CR negotiations were still underway, despite expectations that the bill would be published by the previous Sunday.

Johnson Unfazed by Speaker Vote Concerns

Johnson remains optimistic about the upcoming Speaker vote and has emphasized the need for the bill to undergo a 72-hour review before it is voted on.

Concerns also extend to farm policy provisions in the CR, which Representative Scott Fitzgerald believes could affect negotiations for a new Farm Bill.

This includes a one-year extension and added subsidies, sparking further debate among Republicans.

Quotes Reflect Internal GOP Division

An anonymous GOP lawmaker noted, "The speaker definitely has some ‘no’ votes and some people considering their options."

"I think that’s potentially a possibility," said Rep. Scott Perry, reflecting on the chance of opposition against Johnson in the Speaker vote.

"Everything’s got consequences," Rep. Ralph Norman remarked about the potential impact of the CR on the January Speaker vote.

Discontent Over Process and Policy Inclusions

"We talked with the speaker up until this weekend, the only discussion was ‘How long is this clean CR going to be?’ And suddenly we find out – I heard rumors over the weekend – they’re negotiating with a health care package that included PBM stuff," stated Rep. Eric Burlison.

"I think it’s absolutely disgusting to bring forward a several-thousand-page bill that nobody’s read, even today, nobody’s even seen it, and then they expect us to vote on it without any debate," continued Rep. Burlison.

"Swamp is going to swamp, right?" Rep. Chip Roy commented sarcastically, criticizing the nature of the negotiations and the CR's contents.

"E15 should not be in this disastrous CR/Supplemental, among most of the things being discussed – including a PBM bill that Pharma is dancing in the streets over... Call me crazy, but we should reduce the deficit and not pass stupid policies," Roy added, highlighting his concerns over specific policy inclusions.

"I'm not worried about the speaker vote," Speaker Mike Johnson confidently stated, dismissing concerns about his leadership.

"I think there are members that just wish we were being a bit more comprehensive and deliberate in passing a Farm Bill," noted Rep. Scott Fitzgerald, pointing out another area of contention among Republicans.