Exclusive: House Freedom Caucus Chairman Scott Perry (R-Pennsylvania) said House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) after his plan to avert a government shutdown received harsh criticism from Republican lawmakers. has warned that it may be necessary to “reassert some authority” in Congress. .
“You only get one chance to make a first impression. My Senate colleagues… want to continue the unlimited spending and policies that are destroying the lives of their constituents, but this is the Speaker’s only chance to influence that.” ‘And we say, ‘We’re not going to do that,”’ Perry told Fox News Digital in an interview Tuesday morning.
“I think he could have sent something reasonable that the Senate wouldn’t be able to resist, but I don’t think that’s going to happen here. So in future situations, he’s going to have to somehow reassert himself. ” some authority that is now unclaimed. ”
House of Commons prepares to vote to avert government shutdown in first major test under Johnson as speaker
House Freedom Caucus Chairman Scott Perry spoke to Fox News Digital ahead of the vote on House Speaker Mike Johnson’s continuing resolution. (Getty Images)
Perry is part of growing Republican opposition to Johnson’s plan, a simple extension of last year’s funding priorities known as the Continuing Resolution (CR). His “ladder” approach would set two different funding deadlines for Congress’ 12 separate spending bills. The deadline is January 19th for four of the traditionally less controversial bills, and February 2nd for the others.
The “ladder” was initially supported by members of the Freedom Caucus, with Perry saying, “While we were in favor of the ladder approach, don’t confuse the ladder with the fact that it won’t change policy or spending.” He explained.
Johnson lays out plan to avoid government shutdown and prevent ‘huge spending’
Johnson’s plan is expected to be voted on late Tuesday afternoon. With the suspension of rules, House leaders plan to bypass normal procedure and pass the bill, meaning it won’t require a preliminary vote but will instead require a two-thirds vote of the House.
“Unfortunately, that could result in more Democratic votes than Republican votes,” Perry said.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has proposed a plan to avoid a government shutdown. (Getty Images)
He did not say whether such a result would weaken confidence in Johnson’s leadership, but suggested the new leader would have ground to make up for.
“What I hope is that the speakers understand that the approach that we originally proposed, that I thought was on the table, that I was hoping would be considered, is actually the way to go. and the rest of the meeting,” Perry said. .
“So moving forward, we can actually run some plays instead of surrendering on first down.”
Johnson draws battle lines ahead of government spending showdown
Multiple sources told Fox News Digital that one of the measures in the recent Conservative CR proposal would separate funding for the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security to take into account, among other things, spending priorities. The aim was to put further pressure on the members.
Current government funding ends this Friday. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) narrowly avoided a government shutdown on Sept. 30, the end of fiscal year 2023, by passing a “clean” 45-day CR, but the final This resulted in him paying the gavel.
Unlike former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Rep. Scott Perry said House Speaker Mike Johnson’s plan is unlikely to cost him any jobs. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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Mr. Perry said he did not believe Mr. Johnson’s plan would result in his ouster like Mr. McCarthy, who was voted out of office for “cumulative violations.”
“It’s unfortunate that he was put in this position at this point in history,” Perry said. “Unfortunately, a lot of this is of his hands and not his doing. I think given the circumstances, he will be given some reprieve.”
