Despite House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., having done an "admirable job," former Freedom Caucus Chairman Scott Perry said Friday he's not committed to reelecting him to the leadership post.
"I think that Mike has done an admirable job under tough conditions, but I'm going to keep my options open," the Pennsylvania Republican told Fox Business, reports Politico. "I want to have a conversation with Mike."
Johnson has come under criticism from conservatives over the stopgap funding bill passed last week to keep open the government until March.
Perry said only President-elect Donald Trump could end the indecision about Johnson's chances.
"We’ve just got to make sure that we get the best person for the job under the circumstances, and I'll tell you the one that might be able to make the difference is, quite honestly, President Trump," Perry said. "Whoever the president backs is likely to be the speaker, regardless."
It's also important to ensure Congress can deliver on Trump's agenda, but lawmakers are "signaling that they don't know that they have the confidence in Mike to be able to do that based on past performance," he added.
Perry's comments follow those made by current Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris, R-Md., who said Thursday that Republicans must consider whether keeping Johnson as leader is what the party needs as it prepares to control the House, Senate, and White House starting in January.
Harris also said that he is "undecided" about who to vote for in the Jan. 3 leadership election.
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., was the first party member to state that he will vote against Johnson as speaker, but with Perry, Harris, and Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., all voicing doubts, Johnson could have trouble with his reelection bid.
As Republicans are expected to hold a majority by just four seats, at 219-215, Johnson can lose his seat if just one GOP member votes against him, notes Politico.
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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