I’ve mentioned before that Speaker Johnson is a weak Speaker or a Speaker with an outre agenda, and we’re seeing it again:
In a stunning blow to Speaker Mike Johnson, four GOP lawmakers on Wednesday agreed to back a Democratic push to extend pandemic-era Obamacare subsidies.
Those four GOP centrists — New York Rep. Mike Lawler and Pennsylvania Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, Ryan Mackenzie and Rob Bresnahan — have officially opted for what they have been describing as the nuclear option. [CNN/Politics]
In other words, they’ve signed a discharge petition sponsored by the Democrats, pushing it over the number needed to bypass the Speaker in January. The Speaker isn’t quite powerless, as he controls when the House reopens after the upcoming holidays – but refusing to reopen the House in order to foil ACA subsidies is a bad look and suggests political ineptitude, not acuity, as well as a deaf ear for the country’s desires, even within his own district.
But, in this era of political surprises, he may try this misbegotten strategy, particularly if the Senate signals acceptance of the ACA subsidies, and/or President Trump throws a tantrum and demands he follow that strategy.
Stay tuned.
