Recent weeks have highlighted significant internal conflicts within the House Republican Party, particularly regarding Speaker Mike Johnson's leadership. Members have voiced concerns over issues such as government spending, health care, and specific provisions in critical legislation, including the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and a proposed ban on stock trading by lawmakers.

Johnson has faced scrutiny during the recent federal government shutdown, with accusations from some lawmakers that he delayed the swearing-in of Democratic Representative Adelita Grijalva to avoid a vote on releasing files related to Jeffrey Epstein, a financier and convicted sex offender. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has publicly criticized Johnson's leadership, further exacerbating tensions within the GOP caucus.

As the second Trump administration progresses, some Republican members are frustrated by what they perceive as a failure to effectively utilize their majorities in the House and Senate to advance legislation ahead of the 2026 midterms. Johnson's narrow majority has granted dissenting members significant leverage, often necessitating negotiations or changes in direction from the Speaker.

Representative Elise Stefanik, a prominent Trump ally and chair of the House Republican Leadership, has accused Johnson of misrepresenting facts related to the national defense bill and obstructing her efforts to advance legislation concerning the FBI's investigation into the 2016 campaign and Russia. Johnson has denied these accusations, stating that they are unfounded and that Stefanik's provisions have not reached his level of consideration.

In a notable move, Representative Anna Paulina Luna has introduced a discharge petition aimed at forcing a vote on a bipartisan bill to prohibit members of Congress from trading individual stocks, citing dissatisfaction with Johnson's leadership on this issue. This petition requires 218 signatures to trigger a vote, similar to a previous effort regarding the Epstein files.

The Republican Party is also grappling with the need to formulate a health care plan as certain subsidies from the Affordable Care Act approach expiration. However, there is uncertainty about whether moderates and conservatives can agree on a viable alternative. Johnson faces further challenges related to party divisions over sanctions against Russia and procedural matters in the House, with the next deadline for Congressional funding set for January 30, 2026.

The internal conflicts are particularly pronounced among female lawmakers, who have expressed feelings of marginalization within the party. Several high-profile Republican women are considering retirement or early exits, raising concerns about the representation of women in Congress. Currently, there are 33 female Republicans in the House compared to 96 Democratic women, and the number of GOP women has slightly decreased since a record high in 2023. Organizations like Maggie’s List and Winning for Women are working to endorse and support female Republican candidates, but the effectiveness of these initiatives remains uncertain. The ongoing internal strife underscores the complexities of navigating gender dynamics in a predominantly male-dominated political landscape.