Speaker Mike Johnson loses temper, pulls veterans bill

House Speaker Mike Johnson reportedly lost his temper during a closed-door meeting on July 24, 2026, shouting an expletive at fellow Republicans as they clashed over a veterans bill. The outburst, described by multiple sources, marked a rare departure from the speaker's typically calm demeanor and led to the immediate withdrawal of the bipartisan legislation from the House floor.

The incident occurred during a meeting in the speaker's ceremonial office as Johnson attempted to salvage the "Take Care of America's Veterans Act," which had been scheduled for a vote that morning. A heated argument erupted between Florida Representative Anna Paulina Luna, who opposed the bill, and Iowa Representative Zach Nunn, who supported it. When Luna directed her frustration toward Johnson, the speaker snapped, declaring, "I'm sick of this shit," according to witnesses.

Johnson quickly apologized to Luna for his outburst. He then approached the elementary-school-aged son of Colorado Representative Gabe Evans, who had witnessed the exchange, and apologized for using profanity in front of him. Following the confrontation, Johnson pulled the bill from consideration, stating it could be delayed for weeks.