House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., could soon be facing yet another contentious vote — to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt — testing his narrow majority.
Republicans are targeting Garland for refusing to turn over audiotapes of President Joe Biden, and Johnson has to decide if he will schedule a vote on the matter, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday.
The House got the referral by two committees several weeks ago — and Johnson has said it will “be coming to the floor soon,” the Journal noted.
The GOP, however, cannot afford more than one or two defections, the Journal reported.
Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., told the outlet at least two GOP lawmakers have been on the fence, but Trump’s guilty verdict could provide new momentum, noting voters are “totally frustrated.”
Johnson backs the contempt push and has been outspoken in denouncing Trump’s conviction by a New York jury for falsifying business records — but has recently emphasized oversight rather than votes, the Journal reported.
