- Greene warns Republicans risk losing the House if Americans keep struggling financially, saying voters will prioritize bank accounts in the midterms.
- She criticizes GOP leadership over the shutdown and lack of plans on appropriations and ACA premium hikes, calling the party’s response a failure.
In a stark warning to her party, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) predicted that Republicans could lose control of the House in the upcoming midterms if the cost of living continues to burden American families.
“I can’t see into the future, but I see Republicans losing the House if Americans are continuing to go paycheck-to-paycheck,” Greene told Semafor in an interview published Monday.
She emphasized that voters would approach the elections with their financial struggles front and center: “They’ll definitely be going into the midterms looking through the lens of their bank account.”
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Greene’s comments come amid heightened tensions within the GOP, exacerbated by the government shutdown that began on October 1.
The conservative lawmaker has been vocal in her dissatisfaction with House Republican leadership, particularly Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), for not reconvening the chamber to resolve the funding impasse.
Earlier on Monday, Greene took to the social platform X to express her frustration, stating that the House “should be in session working” and that she has “no respect for the decision to refuse to work.”
She has repeatedly urged Johnson to bring lawmakers back, arguing that the GOP is failing to address pressing issues.
Health Care Premium Hikes Fuel Greene’s Frustration
The criticism extends to broader economic concerns.
During the shutdown’s first week, Greene posted on X that she was “absolutely disgusted” by projections that health insurance premiums could more than double for millions if Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits expire.
While acknowledging she’s “not a fan” of the 2010 law, she lambasted Republicans for lacking a solid plan to mitigate the premium hikes.
Greene doubled down in her Semafor interview, highlighting “intense frustration within our conference that we aren’t passing our appropriations and we’re not in session.”
She also noted the absence of “one single GOP conference call” on health care, declaring bluntly, “The Republican Party is failing.”
When asked for comment, a spokesperson for Johnson pointed to the Speaker’s recent CNBC interview from last Thursday.
In it, Johnson expressed optimism about the party’s prospects: “I’m very bullish about the midterms. I’m absolutely convinced that we’re going to grow the House majority here and keep the Senate, of course, and we’ll be able to give President Trump four years and not just two.”
Johnson defended the GOP’s approach to government funding, insisting Republicans are “doing the right thing” by advocating for a “clean” continuing resolution.
He has maintained that the House “did its job” by passing a GOP-backed funding bill on September 19, justifying the decision to keep the chamber out of session during the shutdown.
Speaker Claims “Thoughtful” Talks with Greene
The Speaker also addressed Greene’s concerns directly in a Fox News appearance, saying he had a “thoughtful conversation” with her.
“There’s a lot that can be done, but you have to build consensus in a large, deliberative, public body like this,” Johnson added.
Republicans currently maintain a narrow 219-213 majority in the House, with Democrat Adelita Grijalva (Ariz.) awaiting swearing-in after winning a special election to succeed her late father, Raul Grijalva. A swearing in that keeps on being pushed back by Johnson.
Economic data underscores the pressures Greene highlighted.
According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, household debt rose by $185 billion in the second quarter of 2025, with mortgage balances increasing by $131 billion and credit card balances by $27 billion.
Overall, household debt has surged by $4.24 trillion since the end of 2019.
Shutdown Fallout and Midterm Stakes
As the shutdown drags on, causing widespread disruptions like thousands of flight delays across the U.S., Greene’s pointed critiques reflect growing unease within the party.
With midterms on the horizon, her warnings about economic woes could resonate with voters facing persistent financial strains.
This escalating internal rift highlights the challenges facing GOP leadership in unifying the conference on key issues like appropriations and health care, potentially impacting their electoral fortunes.
Also Read: Republicans Face Growing Backlash as Voters Blame Them for Govt. Shutdown
