As House Speaker Mike Johnson seeks to remain in office, Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.) is “undecided” on whether to vote, while Republican Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) is “undecided” whether to vote. targeted. For Johnson.
President-elect Donald Trump endorsed Johnson for office this week, but Roy said during an appearance on Fox Business that he did not believe Johnson would receive the votes needed to win in Friday’s vote.
In a post on X, Van Orden claimed that Trump “received a mandate from the American people in November” and that Roy “did not.”
“This is an America First Agenda, not a Chip Roy First Agenda. It’s not about making Chip Roy great, it’s about making America great again. President Trump is fighting for America. Chip is fighting to keep his brand marketable,” Van Orden argued.
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Left: Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.) speaks with the media before the vote on a resolution to continue funding the government at the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. Right: Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) attends a meeting of the House Republican Conference at the U.S. Capitol on May 22, 2024. (Left: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc. via Getty Images , right: Tom) Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc, via Getty Images)
“Some people seem to have to understand that in order to be a leader, you must first learn how to follow. I need him to understand that he can be part of the team, but that’s not possible.” In hell, he’s the captain. The Captain will be returning to the White House soon and the Lieutenant is @SpeakerJohnson,” Van Orden declared in the post.
Fox News Digital reached out to Roy’s spokesperson for comment from the congressman.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) declared he would not vote for Johnson to remain chairman.
Mr Roy said he was “undecided” about Mr Johnson, but said he was looking for a change.
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Congressman Chip Roy (R-Texas) is seen outside the U.S. Capitol on July 25, 2024, after casting his last vote before the August recess. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc. via Getty Images)
“@RepThomasMassie will not vote for Hakeem Jeffries. With Republicans who voted with Democrats (more Democrats than Republicans every time) to spend about $3 trillion and give $61 billion to Ukraine with no border security. The contrast is stark,” Roy said in the post. X.
“The reason I’m still on the fence about voting for the congressman (rather than adamantly disagreeing) is because it’s not all @SpeakerJohnson’s fault, and my hope is that he will be given a reprieve and that @realDonaldTrump “But something has to change,” he said.
Mr. Johnson’s path to victory is shaky and could derail him if another Republican joins Mr. Massey in firmly opposing Mr. Johnson’s efforts to retain the speakership.
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Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) is seen outside the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc. via Getty Images)
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“The winning candidate must secure a full majority of all members who name and vote for the candidate,” Chad Pergram, Fox News’ senior congressional correspondent, explained.
Pergram described a possible scenario in which just two Republicans could prevent Johnson from reaching the threshold needed for victory. “So let’s say we have 434 members and we all vote for someone by name. The magic number is 218. If Johnson gets the votes of all 219 Republicans, Johnson wins. Johnson 218. If he gets the votes, Johnson wins too. But 217? There are no dice.” Pergram pointed out.
Alex Nitzberg is a writer for Fox News Digital.
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