'Grow a spine': House Republicans lectured for being 'too damn scared' of upcoming vote

Discussing what is expected to be a chaotic election of the next Republican House Speaker late next week, a former high-ranking Republican Party official criticized the caucus and told them to "grow a spine" and pick someone serious about asserting the authority of the chamber.

Speaking with his co-hosts on MSNBC's "The Weekend," former RNC chair Michael Steele lectured the House Republicans who stumbled and bumbled their way to previously picking Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) who is already facing stiff opposition.

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"This is something that the American people by and large don't care about because they don't know how their government functions and they don't know how these roles are played and how important they are. Why it matters when dealing with the budget and the debt ceiling, why it matters when you have an incoming president who wants the speaker to kowtow to him," Steele remarked.

"That is why I said that Congress is an independent body, –– they are not an adjunct of the executive branch, they are an independent branch and it is high time Republicans started acting like it," he continued before exclaiming, "Grow a spine or other body parts that may help you understand what your job and your role is."

"And if you want a good speaker, Republicans, elect one! Because you ain't got one and you haven't had one in a while!" he added. "You know that person exists within your ranks, it is just that you are too scared to nominate and elect him."

"The American people don't care because you don't care and you don't make it important so it is not important," he accused.

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