House Speaker Mike Johnson, who rose to prominence among House Republicans, is currently facing considerable discontent from within his party. Reports indicate that Johnson's close alignment with former President Donald Trump has led to frustrations among GOP members. Recently, Johnson had to assert his control over the chamber amid concerns regarding his authority, especially related to the use of parliamentary maneuvers to advance bipartisan legislation.

Critics within the Republican Party have expressed worries that Johnson's leadership has resulted in a reduced capacity for the House to fulfill its legislative responsibilities. Allegations have emerged that he has allowed the chamber to cede its powers, particularly concerning tariffs imposed through executive action. Former House member Bob Good characterized Johnson as a "puppet of the president," suggesting that his leadership is contingent upon Trump's approval.

Some Republican representatives have voiced their dissatisfaction with Johnson's approach, labeling him a "weak speaker" who operates more like a staff member than a leader. Representative Kevin Kiley has called for a "course correction" within the party, emphasizing the need for more independent decision-making rather than outsourcing authority to Trump.

This discontent has prompted some House GOP members to consider their future, with concerns about potentially serving in the minority if Democrats regain control in the upcoming midterm elections. Notably, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has announced her resignation from Congress, citing dissatisfaction with Johnson's leadership and his handling of key issues, including healthcare subsidies. Similarly, Representative Nancy Mace has publicly criticized Johnson's leadership style, contrasting it with the more effective management she attributes to former Speaker Nancy Pelosi and emphasizing the need for greater transparency and member involvement in the legislative process.

In a broader context, Republican lawmakers have acknowledged a marked decline in legislative accomplishments during the first year of President Trump's second term, with Congress passing only 38 bills into law, the lowest output for a first-year presidency in decades. This slowdown has been attributed to Trump's reliance on executive orders, often bypassing Congress, which holds a slim Republican majority. Insiders have noted that approximately 60 percent of Senate votes this year have focused on confirming Trump's nominees rather than on legislative matters.

Despite some support for Trump's approach from certain members, the prevailing sentiment among many lawmakers is that 2025 has been a disappointing year for the Republican-controlled Congress, with predictions of further losses in the upcoming midterm elections. Johnson's decision to shut down the government for an extended period has also been cited as a contributing factor to the lack of meaningful legislation. Representative David Joyce expressed frustration over the lack of action on healthcare, acknowledging that the issue of subsidies was pressing and stating, "We dropped the ball miserably by not doing something on healthcare all year long."