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.
