Tennessee U.S. Representative Tim Burchett (R-TN-02) ensured that House Republicans, like Americans, want to see President-elect Donald Trump’s agenda move forward despite the drama surrounding Friday’s speakership vote.
On Friday morning prior to the U.S. House voting to elect Mike Johnson (R-LA-04) as its speaker, Burchett joined The Michael Patrick Leahy Show where he made the remarks.
Burchett said at the time that any Republican who did not vote to support Johnson in the speakership race was simply focused on pushing “their own agenda” as opposed to pushing Trump’s agenda.
While Johnson won the vote on the first ballot, GOP U.S. Representatives Ralph Norman (R-SC-05) and Keith Self (R-TX-03) had initially voted for candidates other than Johnson before switching their votes at the last minute.
Kentucky U.S. Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY-04) was the only Republican member who, in the end, voted for a different candidate other than Johnson – a move that was expected.
Burchett said Massie should not be attacked for his decision to vote against Johnson.
“Let’s lay off Thomas. He just lost his wife. He’s very conscientious. He literally is a rocket scientist and he has several patents. He’s a very smart, intellectual kind of guy,” Burchett said.
Having voted himself two years ago to oust former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Burchett noted how it’s “pure hell” to be in Massie’s position.
“It’s pure hell. I got beat up by everybody,” Burchett said.
At the end of the day, Burchett said Republicans are going to negotiate and ensure that Trump is certified as president and start to implement his agenda.
“The people elected President Trump and they want to see his agenda move forward, as do I,” Burchett said.
Watch the full interview:
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Tim Burchett” by Tim Burchett.
