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Johnson ‘probably going to lose the Speakership’

Democratic Sen. Ruben Gallego (Ariz.) said Thursday that Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) is likely to lose his chance at another term as Speaker of the House due to his decision not to bring the lower house back into session due to the government shutdown.

“Johnson sent his team home, not only to put pressure on us, but also to avoid pressure from his own members,” Gallego said during an appearance on CNN’s “The Source” on Thursday.

“He will win very hard and will probably lose the Speakership next year. But he is putting his members on a plank of no return,” he added.

Johnson won his second term as President earlier this year with the overwhelming support of President Trump. He faced harsh criticism from Reps. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) and Keith Self (R-Texas) during his first term with the gavel.

However, both ultimately voted for him for a second term. The only rebuke came from Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who frequently voiced concerns about Johnson’s leadership style throughout the 119th Congress.

During the government shutdown, GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.) was a vocal critic of Johnson’s decision not to bring the House back into session and his failure to offer a plan for the future of Affordable Care Act subsidies.

“I think he should bring the House back into session for many reasons,” Greene said. In an interview on CNN Wednesday.While criticizing Johnson for stalling legislative business.

“Every serious Speaker in the House will build consensus behind a plan at his conference. This is not a secret to be worked out in a committee,” he said, referring to Republicans’ refusal to negotiate on an extension of Affordable Care Act premium health care subsidies in exchange for Democrats’ votes to reopen the government.

Senate Democrats are blocking advancement of a stopgap measure meant to get Republicans to support extending Affordable Care Act premium subsidies before open enrollment on Nov. 1.

But Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R.S.D.) said the issue is not up for discussion until the federal funding cut is resolved.

“This is a failure for Thune and Johnson. Not only are they being shut down, but they haven’t even brought it up to the membership issue. They haven’t brought it up, ‘Hey, we need to start negotiations to find a way out of this,'” Gallego told CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins.

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