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Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie hold a news conference on House Speaker Mike Johnson outside the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on May 1, 2024. |
Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has announced that she will force a vote over House Speaker Mike Johnson’s ouster next week. This comes after Democrats have said they will vote to kill the effort and ensure Johnson doesn’t lose his job. Greene’s decision puts an end to weeks of speculation over whether she would move forward to trigger the consequential vote. The move escalates pressure on Johnson and sets up a major showdown on the House floor, even though the vote is expected to fail.
Johnson has defended his leadership against the threat, saying that he will not resign and warning that a vote to oust him could cause chaos in the House. Many Republicans oppose the push to oust Johnson and do not want to see the House GOP Conference devolve into disarray like it did after former Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted in a historic and unprecedented vote last year.
Greene originally filed the motion to oust Johnson in March amid conservative anger over the Louisiana Republican’s handling of the government funding fight. A floor vote to oust Johnson would require a majority to succeed, but it can still be preempted. A motion to table – or kill – the resolution could be offered and voted on first. That would also only require a simple majority to succeed.
House GOP leaders plan to quickly take up and kill Greene’s motion, according to GOP sources. Greene has yet to specify which day she plans to go to the floor and call for a vote. GOP sources say they could vote the same day she offers it, depending on attendance.
After Johnson moved last month to pass a major foreign aid package that included aid for Ukraine, House Democratic leadership announced that Democrats would help Johnson keep his job by voting to table if the issue arose.
“We will vote to table Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Motion to Vacate the Chair. If she invokes the motion, it will not succeed,” House Democratic leaders said in a statement on Tuesday.
Greene railed against Johnson on Wednesday for roughly 10 minutes, taking issue with his support for Ukraine aid and focusing on the recent announcement that House Democrats would vote to kill her effort to oust him.
During the news conference, Greene put a “Make Ukraine Great Again” hat on a photo of Johnson and Jeffries.
A wide range of House Republicans immediately pushed back on Greene’s plan. Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina, a member of the conservative Freedom Caucus, said, “I disagree with that. She had every right to do it, but it’s not the time.” Rep. Marc Molinaro, a vulnerable Republican from New York, accused Greene of simply “wanting more attention.” Rep. Greg Pence of Indiana was also disappointed with Greene’s announcement. He said, “I wish she wouldn’t. We’ve got more important things to work on instead of that.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the reasons behind Representative Greene's motion to oust Speaker Johnson?
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia is pushing to remove Speaker Mike Johnson from his post as the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Greene's motion to oust Johnson is based on disagreements with him over various political issues. She has accused Johnson of failing to support former President Donald Trump and of not being conservative enough.
How does the process of forcing a vote on the Speaker's ouster work within the House of Representatives?
The process of forcing a vote on the Speaker's ouster works through a motion to vacate the chair, which is a privileged motion that allows any member of the House to call for a vote to remove the Speaker from his or her position. The motion requires a simple majority vote to pass.
What are the potential implications of Speaker Johnson's removal for the current political landscape?
If Speaker Johnson is removed from his position, it could have significant implications for the current political landscape. It could lead to a shift in power within the House of Representatives, and it could also impact the legislative agenda moving forward. Additionally, it could further deepen the divisions within the Republican Party.
What support does Representative Greene have among her colleagues for the vote on Speaker Johnson's ouster?
It is unclear how much support Representative Greene has among her colleagues for the vote on Speaker Johnson's ouster. While she has been vocal in her criticisms of Johnson, it is unclear how many other members of the House are willing to support her in this effort.
What are the historical precedents for a Speaker of the House being removed from office?
There have been few instances in which a Speaker of the House has been removed from office. The most recent example was in 1910 when Speaker Joseph G. Cannon was removed from his position. However, this was done through a change in the House rules rather than through a vote to vacate the chair.
What are the next steps if the vote to remove Speaker Johnson is successful?
If the vote to remove Speaker Johnson is successful, the House of Representatives will need to elect a new Speaker to fill the position. This could lead to a period of uncertainty and political maneuvering as members of the House seek to secure support for their preferred candidate.
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