‘Embarrassed For Our Conference’: Republicans Tee Off on Speaker Johnson After Rough 24 Hours

CNN Congressional Correspondent Manu Raju caught up with some very frustrated House GOP members on Wednesday, the day after the Republican majority failed to muster the votes to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and approve aid to Israel.

“When you are handed the keys to the, you know, to the kingdom, as it were, then when you have the majority, there is an expectation that you will be able to govern. And, we’ve just struggled with that over and over again,” said Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR) in a pre-packaged clip Raju ran with his report.

“I was embarrassed for our conference, for our party because we can do better than we did last night,” added Rep. Lance Gooden (R-TX).

“He didn’t count votes. I think he will next time,” said Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) of Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA).

“Shouldn’t he count the votes before coming to the floor?” followed up Raju.

“I think he relied, in his defense, on other people to sway some people. He needs to count votes before he comes to the floor. This message of not impeaching Mayorkas sent a message to a wrong message. I think you need to make sure. And as bad as Pelosi was, she knew her votes before it took place,” replied Norman.

After the clip, Raju reported, “And that comment, of course, referring to the former House speaker, the Democrat Nancy Pelosi, who did often go to the floor even with narrow majorities get legislation through. But the Democratic Caucus and the House GOP Conference are just two different places right now. Many of those Republicans simply don’t listen to their leadership despite their efforts here. Johnson sort of dismissing and downplaying all of these divides, saying that they’ll figure out a way forward here. But a messy, messy period. No doubt about it, guys.”

Later in the day, Raju also caught up with Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) who blasted the “lack of leadership” in the GOP Conference and said it’s “unacceptable” to do nothing on the border situation.

Watch the clip above via CNN.