Malliotakis Criticizes GOP Leadership Over Lack of Communication on Spending Bill

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) expressed her frustration on Friday over the lack of communication from House Republican leadership regarding the drafts of a continuing resolution (CR) aimed at preventing a government shutdown.

Malliotakis, like many of her GOP colleagues, voiced concerns about the party’s inability to coordinate effectively as the Jan. 3 deadline for electing a new Speaker of the House approaches.

“I don’t know what’s going on, and really that’s part of the problem,” Malliotakis said. “The fact that there’s zero communication from leadership to the membership, and it’s very frustrating. Something needs to change before Jan. 3 here.” House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has been under fire for his handling of the spending measure, which has exposed deep divisions within the House GOP conference.

The GOP has struggled historically to rally behind funding measures, and this latest controversy is no exception. Many Republican lawmakers, including Malliotakis, are frustrated by the top-down approach that leaves them uninformed until the last minute. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) echoed these sentiments in a statement posted Thursday on X (formerly Twitter), calling for an end to “dirty swamp deals behind closed doors.”

“Johnson needs to stop the same failed pattern of making deals behind closed doors and keeping everyone in the dark,” Greene wrote. “Republicans need to be working together to deliver the mandate. That requires big changes in behavior.”

The discontent among GOP members comes as Johnson faces mounting pressure to secure enough support to be reelected as Speaker on Jan. 3. The controversy over the CR has further jeopardized his standing, with several Republican lawmakers openly stating they would not back him for a second term.

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) is among those who have already withdrawn their support. “I won’t vote for him,” Massie said, citing lingering grievances from earlier this year when House Republicans faced internal disputes over leadership and legislative priorities.

Johnson’s precarious position is compounded by the razor-thin margin of support he can afford to lose. With Democrats likely to unite behind their candidate for Speaker, Johnson must minimize defections within his own party to retain his position.

Many in the GOP believe the lack of transparency and collaboration in handling critical issues like government funding is undermining the party’s credibility and ability to govern. Critics argue that the failure to build consensus on such a high-stakes issue could not only cost Johnson his Speakership but also damage the party’s standing heading into an election year.

As the Jan. 3 deadline looms, Malliotakis and other Republicans are calling for a significant shift in leadership strategy to ensure greater inclusivity and cooperation within the party. “Something needs to change,” Malliotakis reiterated, emphasizing the need for better communication and a unified approach to legislative priorities.