Marjorie Taylor Greene Criticizes Mike Johnson on Budget Talks

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) has publicly criticized House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) for allegedly sidelining conservative voices in discussions regarding the upcoming Sept. 30 government funding deadline. Greene claims that Johnson is prioritizing support from moderate Republicans and Democrats for a six-month continuing resolution (CR) to avoid conflict ahead of the November elections. She expressed her concerns on social media, stating that Johnson is not engaging with conservatives who want to negotiate for specific agenda items, such as the SAVE Act, which focuses on election integrity. Greene's remarks highlight a growing rift within the Republican Party, as she accuses Johnson of avoiding confrontation and failing to leverage his position as Speaker to advocate for conservative priorities. She emphasized the urgency of the situation, arguing that the upcoming elections are uncertain and that Republicans must act decisively now rather than deferring their agenda until after the elections. In response, a spokesperson for Johnson defended his approach, stating that the Speaker is consulting with various members of the conference to determine the best path forward. The spokesperson noted that the House has already passed 75 percent of the government funding for fiscal year 2025, while the Senate has yet to act on any appropriations bills. The House Freedom Caucus, of which Greene is a prominent member, has also called for the inclusion of the SAVE Act in the continuing resolution. They urged House Republicans to utilize their leverage to prevent potential Democratic actions that could undermine a second term for former President Donald Trump. Failure to meet the funding deadline could result in a government shutdown, reminiscent of the 2018-2019 shutdown during Trump's presidency, which could have significant repercussions for federal employees and services.