Hardliners Tank Spy Powers Bill as Trouble Brews for Johnson (1)

House Republican hardliners, emboldened by Donald Trump, sank debate on a foreign surveillance reauthorization bill Wednesday, again using procedural maneuvers to sabotage an increasingly embattled Speaker Mike Johnson.

This is far-right members’ seventh time this Congress tanking a rule, a procedural vote that allows debate and votes on legislation, and their fourth time under relative novice Johnson (R-La.). The guerrilla floor tactics, once rare but now popular for members of the Freedom Caucus, represent growing unrest as Johnson struggles to unite his conference.

The rule failed by 193 votes to 228, with 19 Republicans voting against it.

The vote followed ...