Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia is determined to have a vote next week on a motion to remove Speaker Mike Johnson, despite the fact that the effort is likely to fail. In a press conference at the Capitol, Ms. Greene criticized Mr. Johnson for collaborating with Democrats to pass major legislation and argued that it was important for lawmakers to make their positions on his speakership clear. “I think every member of Congress needs to take that vote and let the chips fall where they may,” Ms. Greene stated. She intends to call for the motion to vacate the speaker next week.
The decision to move forward with this motion comes shortly after Mr. Johnson successfully pushed through a $95 billion national security spending package to aid countries such as Israel and Ukraine, despite opposition from Ms. Greene and other conservative Republicans. House Democratic leaders have vowed to block the effort to remove Mr. Johnson, ensuring that Republicans have enough support to defeat Ms. Greene’s motion before it can be considered. Ms. Greene’s motion has faced challenges gaining traction since its filing a month and a half ago, with only two other Republicans, Representatives Thomas Massie and Paul Gosar, publicly supporting it.
In response to Ms. Greene’s efforts, Mr. Johnson released a statement condemning the motion to remove him from his position as speaker. He described the motion as detrimental to the Republican conference, the institution of Congress, and the country. Mr. Johnson believes that the motion is misguided and will not impact his decisions as speaker. He views the disputes over policy issues or questions as distractions from the important work that needs to be done in Congress. Despite Ms. Greene’s persistence, Mr. Johnson remains focused on fulfilling his duties as speaker.
Ms. Greene’s motion to vacate the speaker’s chair has been met with mixed reactions from her Republican colleagues. While only Representatives Massie and Gosar have publicly supported the motion so far, Ms. Greene and Mr. Massie claim to have received private support from other colleagues. Despite this, Mr. Johnson remains confident that the majority of his colleagues understand the importance of focusing on their legislative responsibilities rather than engaging in disputes over his leadership. He remains steadfast in his commitment to move forward with the work of Congress and address the critical issues facing the country.
As the motion to remove Speaker Johnson moves forward, the battle within the Republican Party continues. Ms. Greene’s persistence in calling for this vote reflects her strong opinions on the direction of the party and the leadership of Speaker Johnson. While her efforts may not lead to his removal, they highlight the divisions within the party and the ongoing debates over policy and leadership. The outcome of this vote will ultimately reveal where members of Congress stand on these issues and could have implications for the future of the Republican Party.
