Conflict Among House Republicans Over Government Shutdown Strategy

On Tuesday, House Republicans participated in a members-only conference call that turned tense as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) confronted House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) regarding their strategies for navigating the ongoing government shutdown.

Johnson has been calling his fellow Republican lawmakers every week to keep them updated on the situation and has advised them to remain in their home districts rather than convening in Washington. This approach, he believes, pressures Senate Democrats to agree to the Republican funding proposal.

However, it appears that Fox News Digital claimed this strategy might be ineffective, stating that the Republican House majority is being “wasted” by keeping Greene out of Washington.

Johnson suggested that House Republicans should pass the bill from within Washington and find a way to resolve the issues surrounding pandemic-era Obamacare subsidies, which are set to expire if no agreement is made by year’s end. Democrats are largely seeking extensions on these subsidies as part of a funding deal.

Greene’s sentiments were pretty clear in her remarks during the call. “You need to go back to your districts and engage with real people, because they’re not happy,” she reportedly told Republican leaders. “They expect us to fulfill our legislative duties, not just follow orders from the White House.” Greene, who was once a staunch supporter of Trump, expressed concerns that even he is seeing a decline in support.

Johnson, on his part, defended the legislative efforts of the party and insisted that Trump still enjoys solid backing among Republicans. He emphasized their commitment to ending the government shutdown, stating, “Neither of us is getting any sleep; we’re working around the clock.”

In response to Greene’s critique of the party’s direction on social media, Johnson questioned the usefulness of her comments, asking, “Marjorie, what good does that do for us?”

Several Republicans voiced their support for Johnson’s handling of the shutdown, though there are notable exceptions, such as Reps. Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.) and Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas), who have shared concerns about the party’s approach.

Since September 19, when the House passed a short-term funding bill that allowed lawmakers until November 21 to reach a final agreement, Johnson has been directing the party’s efforts from their home districts. Interestingly, Senate Democrats have rejected this bill multiple times.

During the call, Johnson maintained that Republicans are still actively working, despite their physical absence from Washington. Although Greene’s criticisms were a first for this weekly call series, she has been vocal about her concerns on social media for some time. She also made comments about wanting clarity on the party’s healthcare strategy, emphasizing the need for a coherent Republican health plan.

Fox News Digital reached out to both Johnson’s office and the White House for comments but did not receive an immediate response.