Texas GOP lawmaker looking for 'third option' to avoid 'status quo' in House as Speakership election nears

Rep. Michael Cloud (R-Texas) said Thursday that he is looking for a “third option” to avoid “the status quo” in the House as the Speakership election nears.

“There are concerns that a delay in electing a Speaker could lead to a brief delay in enacting President Trump’s agenda,” Cloud said in a Thursday evening post on social platform X.

“This a legitimate concern that I share. The other option on the table is maintaining the status quo, which will undoubtedly fail Trump’s agenda. I’m working to help find a third option. We must ensure the House is structured to enact the America-First agenda in a way that has permanence,” he added.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) faces a tight race to keep his gavel, as he can only afford to lose one vote with his small Republican House majority if every lawmaker is present and voting for a candidate. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) has already pledged to oppose Johnson.

Cloud also said he believes eventually backing Johnson has been his “goal all along” in the wake of a Thursday meeting with him.

The House vote on Friday for a new Speaker follows a contentious December for Johnson surrounding a failed deal on government spending.

Earlier this week, President-elect Trump offered a complete and total endorsement of Johnson, calling him “a good, hard working, religious man.”

“He will do the right thing, and we will continue to WIN. Mike has my Complete & Total Endorsement. MAGA!” Trump said on Truth Social.

The Hill has reached out to Johnson’s office for comment.

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