The U.S. House of Representatives is no stranger to drama, but rarely has the tension within the Republican ranks been so public—or so pointed—as in recent weeks. At the heart of this latest round of infighting stands Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina, who, in a striking New York Times op-ed published December 8, 2025, took direct aim at Speaker Mike Johnson, lambasting his leadership style and the state of the legislative process under his watch. Her critique, echoed by other prominent Republicans, has thrown the party’s internal rifts into sharp relief at a time when retirements and policy disputes threaten its already precarious majority.
“Would opening up the floor lead to more conservative bills passing or more bipartisan ones? The honest answer is: It would do both,” Mace wrote, arguing that the current system, tightly controlled by leadership, stifles both accountability and transparency. “Some Republican priorities would finally get a vote. So, too, would common-sense bipartisan measures. The point is to do more and let voters see where their representatives stand. What we have now is the worst of all worlds: little accountability, transparency and results.” (New York Times)
Mace’s op-ed, as reported by Newsweek, did not stop at criticizing Johnson’s management. She drew a bold comparison that few Republicans would dare utter, declaring, “Here’s a hard truth Republicans don’t want to hear: Nancy Pelosi was a more effective House speaker than any Republican this century. I agree with her on essentially nothing. But she understood something we don’t: No majority is permanent. When Democrats hold the majority, they ram through the most progressive policies they can.” Mace’s willingness to praise Pelosi’s legislative prowess—while simultaneously disagreeing with her politics—underscored her frustration with her own party’s timidity when in power.
According to Newsweek, Mace elaborated, “Republicans do the opposite. We get the majority, then become petrified of losing it. We pass the most moderate policies we can pressure conservatives to accept, betraying the coalition that delivered us here. Ms. Pelosi was ruthless, but she got things done.” She also lamented the collapse of open rules and meaningful amendment processes, pointing out that “leaders of both parties have systematically silenced rank-and-file voices.”
Speaker Johnson, for his part, has defended his tenure. On social media this month, he asserted, “When Republicans stay unified, we can achieve ANYTHING! Even with one of the smallest majorities in history, we’ve delivered the most productive Republican Congress of our lifetimes—lowering costs, strengthening welfare, improving health care, and advancing President Trump’s America First agenda for working families. Democrats voted against ALL of it. The record shows the Republican Party is for working Americans.” (Newsweek)
Yet, Mace’s criticisms are not isolated. The Republican conference is experiencing a wave of discontent, with members openly challenging leadership and, in some cases, opting to leave Congress altogether. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a high-profile figure known for her firebrand conservatism, announced she would resign from Congress effective January 2026. In a November interview with CNN, Greene reflected on her time serving under Pelosi, saying, “I served under [Pelosi’s] speakership in my first term of Congress, and I’m very impressed at her ability to get things done. I wish we could get things done for our party like Nancy Pelosi was able to deliver for her party.” She added, “I wish her well in her retirement,” though she also remarked that she wished politicians left Washington sooner. (Newsweek)
The timing of Greene’s resignation has not escaped scrutiny. As reported by the New York Post, her last day in the House—January 5, 2026—comes just after she fulfills the five-year service requirement needed to qualify for a congressional pension. Demian Brady of the National Taxpayer Union Foundation pointed out, “She wasn’t in there for very long. So it’s not a huge pension, but it’s a little extra that she’s going to get.” Greene’s estimated pension will be $8,717 per year starting at age 62, potentially totaling more than $265,000 over her lifetime. (New York Post)
Meanwhile, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who plans to retire in 2027 after nearly four decades in Congress, stands to receive one of the most substantial pensions on record—an estimated $107,860 per year. The broader issue of congressional pensions, which cost taxpayers approximately $38 million annually, has reignited calls for reform. Rep. Thomas Massie, a Greene ally, has repeatedly advocated ending congressional pensions, planning to reintroduce legislation to make participation optional or eliminate eligibility altogether. “If congressmen want to save for retirement, they should do so with 401(k)-type plans, rather than rely on taxpayers to take care of them even after leaving Congress,” Massie told the Post.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, himself a former congressman, has also renewed his push to abolish the pension program, stating, “I didn’t run for Congress for the perks. I ran for office to be the type of citizen legislator our Founding Fathers envisioned and to change the prevailing culture in Washington.” DeSantis has pledged not to accept his own congressional pension and called on Congress to “lead by example by ending defined-benefit pensions for Members of Congress.” (New York Post)
Amid these retirements and public rebukes, other Republicans have joined the chorus of criticism against Johnson. Rep. Elise Stefanik recently blasted the Speaker for blocking her amendment in must-pass legislation, accusing him of siding with Democrats and “protecting the deep state.” Greene chimed in on social media, “No surprises here. As usual from the Speaker, promises made promises broken. We all know it.” (Newsweek)
Columbia University’s Robert Y. Shapiro, speaking to Newsweek, observed that Johnson faces a difficult balancing act: “I think Johnson can fairly say he has been doing the best he can, since he not only has to deal with splits within his party in Congress but also has to do the bidding of President Trump, who can end his leadership position and support a candidate against him in the next primary.” Shapiro noted that while Johnson has delivered on Trump’s legislative priorities, he may still face blame from both Mace and Trump if Republicans lose control of the House in the 2026 midterms.
For Mace, the solution is straightforward, if not simple: restore regular order, empower members to legislate, and deliver on promises. “We can do better,” she wrote. “We can restore regular order, empower members to legislate and deliver on our promises. But that will require a fundamental shift, one that prioritizes courage over control. Let us vote. Let the people see. Let the chips fall. That’s democracy.” (New York Times)
With retirements mounting, leadership under fire, and policy debates raging, the Republican majority looks more fragile than ever. Whether the party can bridge its divides and reclaim a sense of unity—or whether the discord will deepen as the 2026 elections approach—remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the House GOP is at a crossroads, and the decisions it makes in the coming months will shape its future for years to come.
