As Congress races to deal with a slew of sensitive and high-profile issues before the dual deadlines of the year-end holidays and then a January 30 government funding expiration, Republican congressional leaders have been under increasing fire from their own members.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has faced increased criticism on a number of fronts, with headlines just over the past couple of days saying he faces GOP anger, frustration and even widespread revolt.
"Less than a year out from midterm elections in which Republicans' vanishingly small majority is at stake, Mr. Johnson's grasp on his gavel appears weaker than ever, as members from all corners of his conference openly complain about his leadership," The New York Times Annie Karni reported earlier in the week.
Some Republicans have expressed frustration that the party has not done more to enact legislation with its majorities in both the House and Senate. And Karni noted that Republican women in particular have taken issue with the speaker, though their criticisms also reflect broader frustrations: "Their dissatisfaction is indicative of a broader splintering of a restive group of G.O.P. lawmakers who are perpetually unhappy with their leaders, but appear to be reaching a breaking point with the current man at the top."
The gripes cover a range of issues, from Johnson's leadership style to his handling of the government shutdown - when he sent the House home for a stretch of more than seven weeks — to other strategic decisions and action or inaction on specific legislation in areas such as healthcare and a ban on lawmakers trading stocks.
Johnson on Thursday urged his members to vent their criticisms directly to him rather than airing them in public. "They're going to get upset about things. That's part of the process," Johnson told reporters. "It doesn't bother me. But when there is a conflict or concern, I always ask all members to come to me, don't go to social media."
Some Republicans also defend Johnson and point to the historically narrow majority he is working with and his success in getting the party's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" to President Trump's desk. Defenders also argue that his role as speaker is safe as long as he maintains close ties with Trump.
Next week will provide another crucial test for Johnson and the GOP as they try to coalesce around some sort of plan to rein in rising healthcare costs. Johnson and other House GOP members are reportedly rushing to pull together a healthcare package that can be presented to the Republican conference's weekly meeting next Tuesday. The speaker is reportedly also working to address objections within his party to the must-pass annual defense authorization bill, with final text expected this weekend.
On the Senate side, Majority Leader John Thune has suddenly started getting pressure from some corners of his conference. "Thune is getting heat from both conservatives and appropriators as he struggles to break the logjam on a FY2026 funding package. This threatens to derail his promise to return to regular order on appropriations bills," Punchbowl News reported.
And Thune also faces questions on healthcare. As part of the deal to end the shutdown, he promised Democrats a vote on an Obamacare subsidy bill. Senate Republicans must decide whether to offer up their own alternative to that measure in a side-by-side vote. "Some GOP senators think it's political malpractice not to present a plan that would avert massive premium hikes in the new year," Punchbowl noted. "Others don't see a reason to engage in what is essentially a political exercise for Democrats, especially since there isn't anything concrete that unites Republicans."
The lingering split in the party has some looking for stronger leadership. "We've known about this cliff for a long time. Democrats spent the entire shutdown wringing our necks over it. And our leadership wasn't ready with a response?" one unnamed GOP senator told Punchbowl.
The bottom line: Johnson has faced a steady drumbeat of doubts and criticisms. Thune has not faced the same public pressure. But both face serious tests. Next week will be crucially important in determining whether Republicans can unite behind a healthcare plan — and whether lawmakers in both parties can find a way to avoid a painful surge in healthcare premium costs for millions of Americans.