The House swiftly voted to kill Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s effort to oust Speaker Mike Johnson from his leadership post, with a resounding vote in favor of Johnson that included support from Democrats. This ends the most serious challenge to Johnson’s speakership, at least for now. The failed ouster effort gives Johnson the opportunity to move on to other issues, though support from Democrats may open him up to criticism from his right flank. Johnson thanked his colleagues for their confidence in his leadership following the vote, calling Greene’s campaign against him “misguided.”
Greene had been threatening to trigger a vote against Johnson for weeks, reopening divisions within the House GOP conference. Johnson was elected speaker last year after the ousting of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, and the historic vote sparked infighting within the Republican Party. The House voted to table Greene’s push to remove Johnson by a tally of 359 to 43, with eleven Republicans voting against tabling. Democratic leadership had announced that they would help Johnson keep his job by voting to table.
Greene, Johnson, and Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky held meetings earlier in the week where Greene outlined her concerns with Johnson’s leadership. Greene’s decision to trigger her motion to vacate the chair caught House Republicans off guard, as GOP leadership had thought there was more time before any next steps were taken. Republican Rep. Austin Scott of Georgia expressed shock at Greene’s move. The House was on the verge of recessing for the week when Greene initiated her motion, starting a two-legislative-day clock for GOP leaders to hold a vote on her measure.
The vote to table Greene’s motion marks the end of a tumultuous period within the House GOP, where divisions over leadership have been prominent. Johnson’s leadership has come under scrutiny, but the vote in his favor gives him the opportunity to focus on other issues. The support of Democrats in keeping Johnson in his position may lead to further criticism from conservative members of the Republican Party. Greene’s effort to remove Johnson has now been defeated, and the House leadership can move forward without the threat of a vote against the speaker.
