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Republicans are expected to retain control of the House of Representatives and some lawmakers are expected to protest Speaker Mike Johnson’s continued leadership role in the upcoming session of Congress.

Members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus are “exploring ways to show their discontent with House GOP leaders during the closed-door races to decide who will likely lead the majority next year,” according to Fox News Digital which cited three sources

But some rank-and-file Republican members are expressing frustration over the anti-Johnson contingent with one describing such discussions as “just more stupid.”

Hard-line conservatives have been frustrated with Johnson over the ongoing funding of the proxy war in Ukraine and capitulating to Democrats on government funding with the discontent again rearing its head as the GOP closes in on at least two more years in the majority.

Another major issue of contention are proposed rule changes that the House GOP Conference will vote on including a measure that some are pushing that would punish lawmakers who torpedo the party’s own legislation on the floor of the House by stripping them of their committee assignments.

“I have made clear to members, as I’ve been having discussions with them, that I am not in favor of punitive measures and rules. I think that we are going to work together as a cohesive team. It’s a brand new time, a brand new day,” Johnson told Politico. “I don’t think we will have a need for party discipline and I expect everybody to be working on singing from the same sheet of music.”

“There’s a difference between saying, ‘I don’t support it’ and ‘I’m going to stop it.’ That’s a big difference,” one source said, according to Fox News Digital. “His easy route is just to say, ‘All right, no rules changes. We’re just going to go forward.’”

According to reports, Freedom Caucus members haven’t ruled out running an alternative candidate against Johnson for the speakership.

“Having two people in a race is kind of the norm,” Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD), the chairman of the House Freedom Caucus told reporters. “We can do this Soviet-style, or we can do it American-style.”

The bickering comes as President-elect Donald J. Trump plans to address House Republicans ahead of their leadership races, according to Fox News Digital which cited two sources “familiar with planning.”

A number of Republican House members who spoke with the outlet expressed frustration that the discord from the 118th Congress could spill over into the new session at a time when the party is on the precipice of controlling the presidency and both houses of Congress.

“Frankly, I am tired of the instigators. I am tired of the conflict for the sake of conflict-type nonsense that happened last session,” Rep. Greg Murphy (R-NC) said.

Murphy also opined that those who cause trouble should be made to suffer the consequences of their actions.

“Absolutely. You can put that with an exclamation mark,” he told Fox News Digital.

“What would worry me is if they’re willing to take that battle to the floor again. That’s where it doesn’t serve any kind of positive purpose at that point,” another lawmaker said, referring to the embarrassing confirmation of ex-Speaker Kevin McCarthy during the last session that ultimately doomed his leadership.

“Enough is enough with the unserious political games – we have work to do,” Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA) posted to X.

Chris Donaldson
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