Speaker's Foe In GOP Sees Little to Lose

Massie plans to vote against Johnson, but needs another ally to defeat him

- SIOBHAN HUGHES, Richard Rubin and Dustin Volz

Rep. Thomas Massie (R., Ky.) has spent much of his dozen years in Congress waging lonely political crusades while working as a behind-the-scenes tactician in fights over Republican leadership and spending.

The 53-year-old Massachusetts Institute of Technology engineering graduate now has his moment in the spotlight. He just needs someone to join him.

On Friday, the libertarian lawmaker plans to vote against handing the gavel back to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R., La.), a step that threatens Johnson's speakership and has put Massie crosswise with GOP colleagues and President-elect Donald Trump. Massie waves off the political risks: He survived attacks by Trump and his own party before. His wife of three decades died last year.

"I don't know how to say this without cussing," Massie said, when asked about pressure to fall in line. "If they thought I had no F's to give before, I definitely have no F's to give now."

House Republicans have 219 seats, compared with 215 for Democrats, who are expected to stay united in backing their leader, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D., N.Y.). The math means if only one other Republican joins Massie in voting for an alternative candidate, Johnson could fall short of a majority. While other Republicans have grumbled about Johnson and say the speaker vote could go multiple rounds, none have said they would vote against him.

Showdown set