House gop tensions erupt over mike johnson's uncertain reelection odds


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* Johnson is struggling to secure the support he needs to retain his gavel, with Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) digging in in opposition and claiming to reporters several of his colleagues will


join him in voting no. * With a 219-215 majority and Democrats firmly behind House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), Johnson will likely not be able to afford multiple GOP


defections. * A number of House Republicans, mostly members of the right-wing Freedom Caucus, still refuse to commit to voting for Johnson. DRIVING THE NEWS: Johnson's skeptics are


circulating an unsigned memo, a copy of which was obtained by Axios, outlining his "4 'successes' and 26 'fails' for House Republicans" since taking office in


November 2023. * The document homes in on the government spending bill Johnson shepherded through Congress last month along bipartisan lines. * It also takes aim at Johnson for not pushing


harder for spending cuts, passing aid to Ukraine and reauthorizing FISA. * "The House must be organized to deliver on the historic mandate granted to President Trump and Republicans. It


currently is not," the memo says. THE OTHER SIDE: Johnson allies are growing increasingly frustrated with their right-wing colleagues. * "Anybody who's voting against the


speaker to try to get personal favors or to try to get publicity needs to rethink why they're in Congress," fumed Rep. Greg Murphy (R-N.C.). * Another House Republican, speaking on


the condition of anonymity, told Axios there is "a very small group within our party who are trying to extract something, not for the country ... but for themselves." STATE OF


PLAY: Several House Republicans told Axios on Friday morning that it is possible Johnson fails on the first ballot, with at least three or four GOP lawmakers expected to defect. * A second


House Republican who spoke on the condition of anonymity predicted "at least one failed vote" so that Johnson's critics can "extract a public ounce of flesh." * The


lawmaker said there are "only four real" rebels and that "everyone else is a poser." YES, BUT: Johnson insisted to reporters that he is not prepared to make a backroom


deal to secure the gavel and expects to win on the first ballot. * Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), a One America News Network host and ally of many of Johnson's skeptics, posted on X:


"Mike Johnson will be elected Speaker today. On the first vote. People might like or dislike that. I'm just reporting the news."