Republican Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie told reporters Wednesday that he will not be supporting Speaker of the House Mike Johnson’s bid for another term as speaker.
“I’ll vote for somebody else,” Massie told Politico on Wednesday. “I’ve got a few in mind. I’m not going to say yet.”
The Kentucky Republican is a fierce critic of Johnson and has torched the speaker’s decision to partner with House Democrats on a massive spending bill right before the Christmas recess despite previously committing in September to not bringing a ‘Christmas omnibus’ to the floor.
READ: Trump Leads Fiery Charge Against “Reckless” Spending Bill, Calls For Conservative Action
Massie previously voted in support of Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green’s motion to vacate Johnson from his speakership role in April, which House lawmakers decisively rejected in a 359-43 vote.
Massie’s decision to oppose Johnson’s bid for another term in the leadership role could throw the upcoming Congress’ speakership contest into chaos if Republicans hold a one seat majority.
House Republicans could possess a 216-215 majority for the first several months of President-elect Donald Trump’s second term due to Trump’s decision to tap three House lawmakers to serve in his administration and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz’s resignation following his failure to secure Senate support to serve as the president-elect’s attorney general.
Every Democratic lawmaker is expected to vote for House Minority leader Hakeem Jeffries in the speakership contest.
No Republican lawmakers have announced plans to challenge Johnson as speaker.
House lawmakers are set to vote on Johnson’s bid for another term as speaker on Jan. 3.
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First published by the Daily Caller News Foundation.