Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) talked with Jesse Watters about the recent foreign aid package that passed both chambers and the challenges Republicans have encountered trying to pass immigration-related changes with a Democratic Senate and President Biden in office.
Johnson explained that the small majority in the U.S. history, with a one-vote margin, has made it tough to push for border inclusion in the foreign aid bill. He emphasized the ongoing efforts to advocate for border issues.
Watters disagreed with the Speaker, mentioning that Republican representatives are frustrated because, despite having a majority in the House, they struggle to achieve their goal of enhanced border security measures.
Johnson contradicted this, stating that the majority is not effective because losing even one vote can derail their plans.
Johnson mentioned that Republicans are not cooperating, without specifying Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), who has threatened to remove Johnson from his leadership position. threatened to remove Johnson from his leadership position.
Johnson expressed the challenge of keeping the Republicans united and improving policies and processes, noting the difficulty when individualistic Republicans refuse to work as a group.
Depending on who’s asked, the Republican caucus has very different answers about who is to blame for their dwindling majority. The pointed fingers highlight the deep divisions that hurt the House GOP, where conservatives are criticizing moderates and moderates are criticizing conservatives.
Johnson compared the situation to football, explaining that some people expect him to make a game-changing play on every move, which is not a winning strategy.
“Right now, when you have this margin, is three yards and a cloud of dust, right? We get the next first down, we put points on the board, and we get to November, and we take back and grow the majority.”
