Mike Johnson Barely Avoids Huge Embarrassment With Razor Thin Vote

Summary

Bulwark Takes: Mike Johnson Barely Avoids Huge Embarrassment With Razor Thin Vote

Release Date: February 26, 2025

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Introduction

In the February 26, 2025 episode of Bulwark Takes, host Tim Muller delves into the tumultuous events that unfolded on Capitol Hill surrounding Representative Mike Johnson's budget resolution. Joined by Managing Editor Sam Stein and Hill Correspondent Joe Perdicone, the trio dissects the narrowly secured victory and its broader implications for the Republican Party. This detailed summary captures the essence of their discussion, highlighting key points, insightful analyses, and noteworthy quotes from the conversation.

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1. The Budget Resolution Vote: A Sleeper Ordeal

The episode kicks off with Tim Muller setting the stage for a dramatic night on Capitol Hill. [01:00] Tim introduces the main event: "Mike Johnson brought the budget resolution, a non-binding resolution, to the floor."

Joe Perdicone provides a concise explanation:
"They are voting on the budget resolution, which doesn't allocate or cut any funds directly. Instead, it sets a framework for future budgetary actions." [01:33]

This procedural motion aims to outline the Republican agenda, instructing committees to identify and implement spending cuts. However, its abstract nature led to significant contention among Democrats, who opposed the implicit directive to slash $888 billion, particularly affecting Medicaid—a program not explicitly mentioned but targeted through committee directives.

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2. The Narrow Victory: One Vote Majority

As the discussion progresses, Joe Perdicone recounts the chaotic vote:
"Mike Johnson thought he had the votes and he didn't think he had the votes. And they ended up squeaking it by with a one-vote majority." [01:27]

The resolution passed by a razor-thin margin, highlighting internal fractures within the Republican ranks. Sam Stein adds context:
"They pulled the vote and then reopened it, leading to unexpected defections from key holdout members."

Key figures such as Tim Burchett, Warren Davidson, and Victoria Sparks shifted their stance in the final moments, securing the necessary majority. This flip was attributed to intense behind-the-scenes negotiations, possibly influenced by former President Donald Trump’s exertions.

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3. Analyzing the Flip: Reasons and Ramifications

The hosts delve into the motivations behind the unexpected vote shifts. Joe Perdicone speculates:
"They probably took a call from Mr. Trump. Someone handed Warren Davidson a phone with Trump on it, and he just did it." [09:47]

Tim Muller highlights the fragility of Johnson's position:
"This shows that he has very little control and he has very little room for error. He doesn't count his votes, which is the ultimate sign." [08:43]

The episode underscores that while the passage was framed as a victory for Mike Johnson, it exposed his limited influence within the party and foreshadowed potential vulnerabilities in future legislative endeavors.

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4. Implications for Republican Moderates and Leadership

A significant portion of the conversation focuses on the diminishing presence of Republican moderates in the House. Joe Perdicone laments:
"When was the last time we've seen a House Republican moderate take a principled stand and not vote for something? Was it McCain?" [06:06]

Tim Muller echoes this sentiment, noting the rarity of such figures:
"It's hard to think of a House Republican moderate." [06:14]

The hosts discuss how moderates like Nancy Mace have shifted positions, contributing to a more polarized and less negotiable party dynamic. This shift complicates bipartisan efforts and suggests increasing challenges in passing legislation without significant concessions.

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5. Future Legislative Challenges and Party Stability

Looking ahead, Joe Perdicone warns of ongoing struggles:
"We're gonna do this every 30 days... until Americans decide to give a couple more seats to the Democrats." [13:36]

Sam Stein critiques the procedural tactics:
"It's nothing. It should have just been everybody vote with the Speaker. The fact that they needed to pull it and then reopen it shows internal weakness." [07:31]

Tim Muller and Joe Perdicone debate the sustainability of the current Republican strategy, with Muller suggesting that passing such a "politically toxic budget" might be a short-term win but a long-term liability. They anticipate ongoing legislative gridlock and internal conflicts that could erode the party’s effectiveness and public support.

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6. Conclusion: A Precarious Win with Long-Term Consequences

The episode wraps up with a consensus that while Mike Johnson's narrow passage of the budget resolution is technically a win, it exposes deeper issues within the Republican Party. Joe Perdicone succinctly captures the essence:
"It's a win, of course, but it just prolongs a larger suffering." [07:16]

Tim Muller adds a final reflection on the inherent instability:
"I think that he has very little control and he has very little room for error... It shows that he doesn't count his votes." [08:43]

The hosts conclude by highlighting the need for the Republican leadership to reassess its strategies and address internal divisions to navigate the impending legislative challenges effectively.

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Key Quotes with Timestamps

• Tim Muller [01:00]: "Mike Johnson brought the budget resolution, a non-binding resolution, to the floor."
• Joe Perdicone [01:33]: "They are voting on the budget resolution, which doesn't allocate or cut any funds directly."
• Joe Perdicone [09:47]: "They probably took a call from Mr. Trump... he just did it."
• Tim Muller [08:43]: "This shows that he has very little control and he has very little room for error."
• Joe Perdicone [06:06]: "When was the last time we've seen a House Republican moderate take a principled stand and not vote for something? Was it McCain?"
• Joe Perdicone [07:16]: "It's a win, of course, but it just prolongs a larger suffering."

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Final Thoughts

The Bulwark Takes episode provides a comprehensive analysis of a pivotal moment in Republican legislative strategy, illustrating the delicate balance of party unity, leadership authority, and the challenges posed by an increasingly partisan environment. By dissecting the intricacies of the budget resolution vote, Tim Muller and his team offer listeners a nuanced perspective on the current state and future trajectory of the GOP in Congress.

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For more insights and detailed analyses, subscribe to Bulwark Takes and stay updated with the latest political developments.

Transcript

[Ryan]

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[Tim Muller]

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[Ryan]

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[Sam Stein]

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[Joe Perdicone]

Hola.

[Sam Stein]

Turns out Ella's next great investment was herself. Ford Blue Advantage used car buying that's built for you. See dealer for full program and limited warranty details.

[Tim Muller]

Hey everybody, it's Tim Muller with the Bulwark. Here with managing editor Sam Stein and our man on the Hill, Joe Perdicone. We had a wild night over on Capitol Hill. The first of many I suspect, as Mike Johnson brought the budget resolution, a non binding resolution to the floor. Well, Joe, explain exactly what that entails tonight. He thought he had the votes and he didn't think he had the votes and he thought he had the votes and he didn't think he had the votes. And they ended up squeaking it by with a one vote majority. All right, Joe, so explain to us what it happened here.

[Unknown]

So they're voting on the. Or they voted on the budget resolution, which is not actually doing anything. No money's being spent or cut in this. What it does is it lays out a framework for what they plan to do. And so that's why there's you read about there being cuts in it. What it does is it instructs them and all the committees to go and find these cuts. And so when they say, oh, it doesn't cut Medicaid. Medicaid's not mentioned in it. Well, no, but it does instruct the committee responsible for Medicaid to magically find $888 billion to go cut. So that's why everyone, or all Democrats were opposed to this. What happened was they were maybe going to vote all day, and then they passed the rule, which is a procedural thing around 1:30 today. And the rule passed easily. Usually Republicans will tank their roll votes when they're mad, which is a relatively new concept, but it's just what they do. So everyone was on tip of their seats tonight.

[Tim Muller]

So their seats tip of their toes.

[Unknown]

Tip of their stinging bolts or tip of their tongue. And when they were voting on something else prior to it, they kept the vote open for a long time, which signal to everyone. Oh, they Republican speaker showed up to a vote series without counting all the votes first, which Jim Nance says is a tradition unlike any other. And then they decided to pull it. They were just like, we're not going to vote on it tonight.

[Joe Perdicone]

Are we just going to let that master's reference pass? That was very nice.

[Unknown]

So they pulled. They pulled it and then they said every.

[Joe Perdicone]

Everybody go sneak it in a little gym Nance line.

[Unknown]

Yeah, I appreciate it. They sent everybody home. So everyone walked down the steps. It's nice for the first time in months in D.C. so everyone got out. They got in their idling cars driven by their staffers. We're like, let's get out of here. And then 10 minutes later, like, no, no, we're voting again. Which means they did something to flip the three of the four holdouts hold out is Tom Smassey. And then they. Then there was like another surprise when Brittany Pedersen from Colorado just showed up for this final extra vote with her one month old. That's why she's been out. And then another member who's had knee surgery and has been out just like hobbled onto the floor. And so then it became they got. They could only lose one. And they managed to flip some of the biggest hard holdouts like Tim Burchett, Warren Davidson. And then like Victoria Sparks.

[Joe Perdicone]

Will these guys always flip?

[Unknown]

Yeah. So they all.

[Tim Muller]

I guess. I mean, Tim Burchett was praying on the House floor. He had to pray about it. He was. He didn't have any commitments. Crazy Victoria Sparks.

[Unknown]

Who's.

[Tim Muller]

Who Spartz, who can. Whose English is. Is questionable. Who knew what she does that have.

[Joe Perdicone]

To do with anything?

[Tim Muller]

Well, maybe she didn't know what a hard no meant when she said she was a hard no because her English is iffy. She's like kind of an ESL member of Congress. Warren Davidson sounds like he got a call from Mr. Trump. It is. I just think Sam like the fat, you know, your buddy Jake Sherman. Fast break. Jake Sherman was reporting that it's 15 years he's never seen a vote opened. And then they pull it. Then they're like, okay, we're not actually going to vote on this like that. And then, and then they reopen it to call them back. So it was kind of unprecedented. And the fact that they had to do this kind of arm twisting on a bill that once again doesn't do anything. It's just like the outline of a budget, I think augurs poorly for the, the debates to come.

[Joe Perdicone]

Yeah, I suppose not. Because at some point you gotta actually put some cuts to these things. Right. Like some numbers. And it's easy to vote in the abstract, but when you're telling the committees that you have to find $880 million, is that it? Or billionaire, I don't know. It's one of those billion, I think, in Medicaid and likely Medicaid cuts, then that becomes a lot harder for the moderates, if they are in still existence to swallow. I will say though, this did follow a very familiar pattern. Right. Like we saw this exactly with the speakers race we saw with the government funding bill. You start with the moderates who express concern. They get some vague promises, they always inevitably fold. I mean, when's the last time any of us have seen, honestly, when's the last time we've seen a House Republican moderate take a principled stand and not vote for something? Was it McCain?

[Tim Muller]

Well, McCain, Obamacare. Yep, that would be one. And I guess we've seen a couple now in the Senate with Murkowski and Collins.

[Joe Perdicone]

Okay. In the House.

[Tim Muller]

Just think about that.

[Joe Perdicone]

I can't think of it.

[Tim Muller]

It's hard to think of a House Republican moderate.

[Joe Perdicone]

So usually they cave, but even when they.

[Tim Muller]

I guess Nancy Mace was kind of a moderate when she voted to overthrow Kevin McCarthy over personal issues. And then she fully took the red pills. I don't know where she was on her journey. Journey from moderate to anti trans.

[Joe Perdicone]

There's no lines there, but it usually follows that. And the moderates always came first because they're idiots and they don't know how to negotiate.

[Tim Muller]

Yep.

[Joe Perdicone]

And the conservatives always are like, you know what? Even though they caved, I'm still not happy with this thing. Let's make it more conservative. And the moderates are always like, okay, I'm not gonna like reverse that. I'll still be on board. And then there's always three or four conservatives. And usually it's Victoria Sparks. And usually she says, I'm a hard no, I'm a hard no, I'll never move. I'LL never move hard.

[Tim Muller]

Might be hard. Might have kind of a different context in a native tongue, you know. I don't know though. There's some like, oh, this is good. This is a big win for Johnson out there. I don't know, man.

[Joe Perdicone]

It's a win.

[Tim Muller]

Let me give the counter for you.

[Joe Perdicone]

It's a win, of course, but it just prolongs a larger suffering.

[Tim Muller]

We didn't even talk about this stuff. When Nancy Pelosi is in charge. It wasn't like, ooh, will she get the budget? It's a big win for her if they pass the budget. I mean, Josh Holmes, who is the McConnell.

[Joe Perdicone]

Well, she never had a two vote majority.

[Sam Stein]

Yeah, they did.

[Tim Muller]

They had a small majority for a little while. Not this small, but quite, quite small. Josh Holmes posted this. He was a McConnell's old guy. He says there's. Well, he was basically trying to bully the House Republicans into voting for this thing. There's no justification to vote against the budget resolution. But here's the point that he's making. It has no force of law. It simply allows you to use the budget process to pursue it, to pursue an agenda. Team ball. Like that's, that's all this was. It was nothing. It should have just been everybody vote with the Speaker. And so they, the fact that they like he needed to call in Daddy Trump to twist Warren Davidson's arm at the last second, I don't know, man. Joe, I just, it seems to me like that he's in deep, deep, dude.

[Unknown]

So they, the plan B was just to use the Lindsey Graham version, which is basically the same thing, like give or take a few numbers. And so failure wouldn't have been bad. And I don't think it's a win for Johnson at all. It's like it shows that he has very little control and he has very little room for error. And it shows that he doesn't count his votes, which is the ultimate sign.

[Tim Muller]

Morning. Sam is coming in with the pundit talk. Oh, it's a nice win. That's a win on the scoreboard for Mike Johnson.

[Joe Perdicone]

Crazy.

[Tim Muller]

We're crazy. It is crazy that he got here.

[Joe Perdicone]

That this, he just passed a politically toxic budget. Like this thing is going to be.

[Unknown]

Toxic as he passed instructions for it.

[Tim Muller]

Yeah, right.

[Joe Perdicone]

Okay, fine. Whatever. He, he did that somehow losing only one vote. I mean, come on. Look, I don't think it's going to end well for him. I don't think it's going to end well for Republicans. But getting through this vote, it definitely is A win for him. I think you guys are nuts.

[Unknown]

Well, and nuts for him to get these.

[Tim Muller]

You're saying he's going to be on Covenant Eyes? Ton kind of celebrating, like, for him.

[Unknown]

To get these votes across the finish line the way he did.

[Joe Perdicone]

I want to know what happened. Promises what happened in those 10 minutes. That's what I want to know.

[Unknown]

And as we know with Kevin McCarthy, when you give away the store, it doesn't work out for you. Doesn't ever.

[Joe Perdicone]

What happened in those 10 minutes? What did he give to Victoria Sparks?

[Unknown]

So with Warren Davidson, it's probably Trump. Someone handed him a phone with Trump on it. Please do this for me. And then he just did it. And then.

[Joe Perdicone]

Yeah, yeah.

[Unknown]

Same with the others.

[Joe Perdicone]

What about Tim? He probably got a new Carhartt's jacket. Is that what he got?

[Unknown]

Well, like, discretionary spending, which is not how you reduce the deficit. Yeah. The only way you can do that is with mandatory. So, like, if he got promised something in the mandatory range, that won't pass.

[Joe Perdicone]

What happens now, Jojo, let's explain this for the viewers. The Senate has a totally different version of what they want to do here. They want to go first with all the border stuff. Right. And the House is like one big, beautiful bill, blah, blah, blah, blah. So what happens now?

[Unknown]

So they're gonna have to, like, merge their agenda and merge their ideas, which. Yeah, because that. That'll. That'll lose 12, 15 Republican votes in the House. So anything they do now after this will be viewed as watering down and it'll bleed more Republican support.

[Joe Perdicone]

And let me tell you how.

[Unknown]

It's not a water.

[Joe Perdicone]

Let me tell you how it's going to play out. They're going to all pretend like they're opposed to it. Victoria will be a hard.

[Tim Muller]

No, no. There are a lot of people out there. I'm telling you. There are a lot of. Chip Roy is.

[Unknown]

He was nowhere here.

[Tim Muller]

Yeah. I mean, there are a lot of other troublemakers who decided not to pick a fight this time. Eventually.

[Joe Perdicone]

When's Don Bacon going to speak up and say, no, we're not going to.

[Tim Muller]

Worry about him, but eventually.

[Joe Perdicone]

Where's our dentist friend?

[Tim Muller]

The details on this. The devil is going to be. The details of this. I'm a joke. Like, eventually you would think that they would have to pass something just out of shame, like that you'll eventually reach a point of shame like they did on the 1900 ballot of the Speaker's vote, where Donald Trump is just like you fucking morons got to vote for whatever it is it'll be the most biggest, beautiful bill of all time. So eventually it'll happen. I'm just telling you there's pain ahead. There's a lot of pain.

[Unknown]

What's Chip Roy gonna do when the chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee in the Senate, Susan Collins, says, well, we have to include NIH funding for the universities in Maine?

[Joe Perdicone]

I'll tell you what's gonna happen. They're gonna say, no, we're not gonna include NIH funding. And Susan Collins is gonna say, well, I'm concerned about that. And then she's gonna say, she's on this case. But on this case, I think I'll go with you, but I'm going to express my concerns. I'll get some obscure promise from Elon that he'll restore it after the fact.

[Tim Muller]

Cynical Sam, Victorious Players is going to.

[Joe Perdicone]

Say, I'm a hard.

[Tim Muller]

No, cynical Sam. Me and Joe are going to live in the darkness or the light, depending on what.

[Joe Perdicone]

You're not in the darkness.

[Tim Muller]

You're in the cynic. You're. You're cynical. You're cynical.

[Joe Perdicone]

World of realism.

[Tim Muller]

Real. Real. No, no. It is uglier out there than you believe, I guess, is what. Is what me and Joe are saying. Got to get tough and ugly.

[Joe Perdicone]

Pin this video. Pin this video.

[Tim Muller]

Yeah. All right. You were right. See, you were right initially on the tariffs.

[Joe Perdicone]

Well, I was totally right.

[Tim Muller]

This whole bed is always going to be the. Is always the same. Sam is always on the side of the cynics. And like the. The. The. They will make whatever choice they have to make to survive day by day. And I will always be on the side of. It's a dumpster fire. They're going to step on their own dicks, and some days they're going to step on their own dicks, and some days they're going to make the cynical choice. And so just day to day, we'll have. We'll be on different equations on who's.

[Joe Perdicone]

Correct to play poker with Victorious.

[Tim Muller]

Are you gonna blow? Are you bluffing?

[Joe Perdicone]

Victoria, do you have the cards? I do not have the cards.

[Tim Muller]

I think. Joe, do you have any final thoughts or wisdom for us from the Hill?

[Unknown]

I. I think this is extremely typical. Like, we're. We're gonna do this. We're gonna do this every 30 days.

[Joe Perdicone]

We're gonna do this. In two weeks, we have to fund the government.

[Unknown]

In two weeks, we're gonna do it. Yeah. And they're gonna do a cr. And we'll go through this again, and then we're just going to keep doing it for forever until Americans decide to give a couple more seats to the Democrats.

[Tim Muller]

Exciting.

[Joe Perdicone]

Yeah.

[Tim Muller]

All right. We'll see how it goes. We'll see how that turns out. Thank you Sam and Joe. Everybody else tune in. Subscribe. Talk to you soon. Bye.

[Sam Stein]

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[Tim Muller]

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[Ryan]

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[Sam Stein]

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[Tim Muller]

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[Sam Stein]

How did Ella bake her way to the top? It all started with one smart decision. She test drove a certified used truck from her local Ford dealer. It was inspected, backed by a Ford warranty and fitter budget. A Carfax report was the cherry on top. Soon a pinch of confidence became a truckload of ambition. Cupcakes became customers. Customers became regulars. Turns out Ella's next great investment was herself. Ford Blue Advantage used car buying that's built for you. See dealer for full program and limited warranty details.