If Speaker Mike Johnson’s intention was to prove that Republicans don’t have the votes to pass a GOP-only government funding bill, mission accomplished.
On Wednesday, the House rejected Johnson’s funding plan in a 202-220 vote, with 199 Republicans and three Democrats voting yes, and 14 Republicans and 206 Democrats voting no. Two Republicans — Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie — also voted present.
It’s another embarrassing floor defeat for the speaker in a year of embarrassing floor defeats. Even if Johnson always intended to illustrate to Republicans that they have to work with Democrats to pass a funding bill — shorn of the GOP provisions on requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote — 16 defections will sting for Johnson.