Attorney General Garland’s Contempt Citation Presents Another Challenging GOP Vote for Speaker Johnson

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., may soon face a vote on holding Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt, putting his narrow majority to the test.

Republicans are focusing on Garland’s refusal to hand over audiotapes of President Joe Biden, and Johnson must decide whether to schedule a vote on the issue, as reported by The Wall Street Journal here.

The referral was made to the House by two committees several weeks ago, and Johnson has indicated that it will soon be brought to the floor for a vote, according to The Wall Street Journal.

However, the GOP cannot afford more than one or two defections, as noted by The Wall Street Journal.

Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., told the outlet that at least two GOP lawmakers have been undecided, but the recent verdict in Trump’s trial could provide new momentum, with voters feeling “totally frustrated.”

Johnson is in favor of pursuing the contempt charge and has been vocal in criticizing Trump’s conviction for falsifying business records by a New York jury, but has recently highlighted oversight rather than votes, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., cautioned that failing to hold a contempt vote could harm Johnson’s standing.

“Not just me but pretty much the whole Republican base” wants a vote, she told The Wall Street Journal. “If he can’t bring the contempt of Congress for Merrick Garland to the floor,” she added, “yeah, I think that would tell everybody what I’ve been saying all along.”

The GOP’s majority is expected to increase on Monday night to 218-213 with the swearing in of Rep. Vince Fong, R-Calif., who is taking the seat of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.

Garland is facing the contempt resolution for withholding the audiotapes of Biden’s two-day interview in October with a special counsel investigating his handling of classified documents. Republicans believe the tapes could provide evidence to the public regarding Biden’s mental competency.

The White House has asserted executive privilege on the tapes.

Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, expressed confidence in party leaders to navigate the path forward on the contempt vote while keeping focus on the November election.

“We have seats we need to go win, and so that’s what we should focus on,” he told The Wall Street Journal. “What gets put on the floor over the next couple of months will influence how people are feeling about the speaker.”