Let's talk about Johnson failing to move GOP bills in the house.... - Belle of the Ranch

[TexasTowelie]

Well, howdy there Internet people. It's Belle again. So, today we're going to talk about Johnson failing to move GOP bills in the House.

Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has been having a rough week and Tuesday night was not a good sign for 2026. We often talk about vote count math here on the channel. It's a measure of whether or not a bill can make it through a vote. We're pretty good. But the speaker of the house should be better because, well, you know, he can simply ask before a vote is scheduled.

Having your own party's votes fail as speaker is generally seen as a failure. Johnson had a major issue on Tuesday when a Republican bill failed in a vote. It was so jarring they scrapped other votes. That means it was clearly a surprise to Republican leadership that members of their own party were breaking ranks on the vote. Currently, Republicans have a 218 to 213 majority when they all show. They should be able to move legislation on party line votes. But that's only if leadership is keeping track of things.

The bill would have allowed employers to skimp on paying for training in some cases. Not exactly the kind of bill that wins you friends among the working class who are already having their health insurance yanked by the one Big Beautiful Bill and are dealing with an economy that is only working for the rich. The optics alone should have told Johnson and the rest of the Republican leadership it was going to be a tough vote for vulnerable representatives and for those in areas that have labor roots.

It shouldn't have been a surprise when Republican representatives Bresnahan and Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, LaLota of New York, Moore of West Virginia, and Van Drew and Smith of New Jersey voted with Democrats to stop the bill.

Johnson once again reassured the press, "We're totally in control of the House." He's had to repeat that he's in control of the House several times. Generally speaking, the king doesn't need to remind people he's the king. Johnson constantly reminding people that he's in control means there's a growing feeling that he's not.

A big issue for Johnson is Trump's habit of trashing representatives he thinks will break ranks. That's probably leading to people not telling him they're voting against a bill. As congressional Republicans defy Trump more and more often as he moves into lame duck status, this issue will get worse and worse for Johnson. Why stick your neck out to warn the party that their bill won't pass if the party won't protect them from Trump's social media blast?

The Republican party hasn't moved a lot of legislation for its base. Their base is taking a huge hit because of the one big piece of legislation they moved. And Trump keeps doing things that are unpopular with the rank and file. The GOP has to move some meat and potatoes legislation for their base before the midterms. But since the party is light on policy and heavy on obedience to Trump, they're running out of ideas. There's already expectations on the Republican side of the aisle that Johnson is in his last year as speaker if he makes it that long.

Anyway, it's just a thought. Y'all have a good day.

[Skittles]

1. "the party is light on policy and heavy on obedience to Trump"

TRUTH

[TexasTowelie]

2. I think that seeing that in the transcript captures some attention.

Belle does have a way with words.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

3. Not helping his lard and savior Trump

[TexasTowelie]

4. That's what happens when you* don't kneel hard enough.

*You referring to Mike Johnson.