House Majority Whip Says Biden Had SOTU Outbursts Coming

One of the top House leaders charged with keeping Republicans in their narrow majority is representing members who gave President Joe Biden some of their thoughts during the State of the Union address.

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R., Minn., one of Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s closest allies, spoke to the Washington Free Beacon In a broad-ranging interview, he stated that while there were some Republican outbursts to be expected, the early days of Republican Party’s narrow House majority could not have been more smooth.

“I don’t think [members such as Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene] were viscerally angry. I think they were telling [Biden], ‘You’re not telling the truth,'” Emmer claimed. “And rather than just ignore it, take the high road, the president was actually trying to engage with them and make smart-aleck remarks back.”

Emmer’s refusal to criticize his colleagues is a glimpse into the difficult balancing act that he faces in his role as whip. His job it to make sure all congressional Republicans agree on legislative priorities. Biden’s comments were praised by media networks, while Greene was criticized for his outbursts. McCarthy seemed to be tired of McCarthy’s more vocal colleagues. However, with just a few votes remaining, it is essential that the Republican leadership placates members of Freedom Caucus in order to preserve order in the House and maximize the potential of the new Republican majority.

Emmer stated that he enjoys good relationships with fellow members because of his position as chairman of The National Republican Congressional Committee. He was able to get to know the uniqueities of each district and the members. Emmer claimed that Emmer worked for them in many ways.

Emmer regards his Republican colleagues as “customers.” Members come to him with priorities and issues they would like to see addressed, rather than giving directives from the top (as Democratic leadership did under Nancy Pelosi, former speaker). According to him, his open-door policy keeps any internal drama under wraps during interviews on liberal networks like CNN. Numerous Republican representatives appeared on cable television to air their dirty laundry during the turbulent speakership battle in January. Emmer stated that they can just walk into his office now.

“If you come in here, we’re like a small-town law office,” Emmer explained. Emmer stated, “We need your business to understand it. But we don’t discuss your company.”