House Republicans call out 'unbelievably dumb' leadership after major failure

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) departs the House floor, following the vote of the U.S. House of Representatives, which passed the bill seeking to release files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein (REUTERS)

More House Republicans appear to be losing patience with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and GOP leadership in the lower chamber of Congress after multiple bills failed to clear a majority this week.

Politico reported Wednesday that a "Tuesday night meltdown" led to widespread consternation from multiple House Republicans. A bill that would have made it easier for employers to curtail overtime hours narrowly failed after several Republican members broke with leadership and voted with Democrats to sink the bill. Three other bills scheduled for votes were ultimately postponed.

In addition to Johnson, Republicans also heaped criticism on House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) for scheduling votes on bills before ensuring every Republican member was on board. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) questioned why Republican leaders were "bringing bills to the floor they don’t have the votes for, other than to think that they’re going to strong-arm people."

"I think it’s really a question for them as to where they’re getting their math," Fitzpatrick told Politico.

Other Republicans were even more pointed in their criticism. One unnamed GOP member of the House told Politico that leaders "didn’t even whip the f—— bill." Another member anonymously confided that the decision to call the bill without ensuring every member on board was "unbelievably dumb and unbelievably reckless."

Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) voted against the bill, but told Politico that he hadn't decided whether he would support or oppose the legislation until the day the bill was called up for a vote. He told the outlet that it was a "problem" that the GOP's majority was so "tight."

“They should have whipped it, number one," Van Drew said. "And then secondly, my bad. I should have let them know, even if it was only a half-hour before."

Currently, Republicans have just a 218-213 majority in the House of Representatives, meaning Johnson can only afford to lose two Republicans assuming all members are in attendance for a vote. The GOP's majority shrunk even more after the recent death of the late Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.) earlier this month. Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) retired from Congress on January 5, after President Donald Trump called for a primary challenge against her.

Click here to read Politico's full report.

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