Malliotakis slams 'frustrating' lack of communication: 'Something needs to change before Jan. 3'

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) shared her frustrations with the series of drafts for the continuing resolution (CR) to prevent a government shutdown coming from her party's leaders, citing issues with communication as a drawback for GOP members.

"I don't know what's going on, and really that's part of the problem. 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,” Malliotakis said Friday while awaiting a new draft from House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).

Jan. 3 is the date the House will elect a new Speaker, and Johnson has faced criticism over his handling of the spending measure. Johnson is in a difficult spot, as the House GOP conference has a long history of failing to unite around funding measures.

Other GOP lawmakers have flagged similar concerns as Malliotakis, claiming they have no idea what Republican leadership will present them with next. 

“Johnson needs to stop the same failed pattern making dirty swamp deals behind closed doors and keeping everyone in the dark,” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) wrote Thursday in a statement on the social platform X.

“Republicans need to be working together to deliver the mandate. That requires big changes in behavior.”

Many House GOP members say the CR controversy is plucking away at Johnson's chance at a second Speakership term. 

Multiple people, including Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), have said they will not back him for the role.

“I won’t vote for him,” Massie said, citing “all the grievances I had this summer when we tried to vacate, and then this bill.”

Johnson can only afford a defection or two and be elected Speaker on Jan. 3, assuming Democrats are united behind their candidate.