Mike Johnson Pulls Veterans Bill After 2 GOP Holdouts, Curses in Closed-Door Clash
Updated
Updated · NOTUS · Jul 24
Mike Johnson Pulls Veterans Bill After 2 GOP Holdouts, Curses in Closed-Door Clash
3 articles · Updated · NOTUS · Jul 24
Summary
A bipartisan veterans bill was yanked from the House floor Thursday after two Republicans threatened to block it, capping a private confrontation in which Speaker Mike Johnson cursed at Rep. Anna Paulina Luna.
Johnson quickly apologized to Luna and to an elementary-school-aged child who heard the exchange, but the episode underscored how a razor-thin GOP majority keeps forcing him to scrap legislation.
More than a dozen lawmakers and aides told NOTUS that a small band of Republicans repeatedly uses procedural leverage to stall bills, leaving rank-and-file members angry that disruption is rewarded.
Austin Scott has revived a proposal to let the GOP steering committee strip rebels of gavels or committee seats, though members say Johnson's 2-seat margin leaves little room to punish anyone he may need next week.
The blowup came as House Republicans headed into August recess after passing three marquee bills this week, with members warning the larger fight over another reconciliation package could erupt in September or after November.