Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has announced her plan to call for a vote next week to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson, setting up a clash within the Republican party. While Greene’s motion is unlikely to succeed, it is expected to create tension within the GOP and the Democrats have promised to oppose any effort to remove Johnson. The potential ousting of Johnson could lead to chaos in the House, much like when former Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted, leading to a three-week period before a replacement was found.
There are concerns among Republicans about the impact of another leadership crisis in an election year, with questions raised about who could succeed Johnson if he were to be removed from his position. Possible contenders include House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan, and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer. While Greene initially appeared to be alone in her efforts, she has gained support from conservative colleagues such as Thomas Massie and Paul Gosar.
Johnson has faced pressure from conservatives to tie border and immigration policy changes to foreign aid bills, but he ultimately supported funding key allies like Ukraine and Israel, acknowledging the importance of national security. His stance on aiding Ukraine is personal, as his son is set to attend the U.S. Naval Academy. With a narrow Republican majority in the House, Greene, Massie, and Gosar calling for Johnson’s removal could be enough to oust the speaker if Democrats join them.
House Republicans may try to dismiss Greene’s push to oust Johnson, and Democrats have already stated they will vote to table the motion. However, it is uncertain whether Johnson could maintain his position with Democratic support, as some Republicans are skeptical of a Republican speaker remaining in power with the help of Democrats. The rules of the House allow for the removal of a speaker with just one aggrieved lawmaker initiating the process, thanks to a decision by McCarthy to change the rules during his own pursuit of the speakership.
The upcoming vote to oust Johnson is a significant development in the ongoing tensions within the Republican party. Greene’s efforts to remove the House Speaker could have far-reaching consequences for the party and the House as a whole. With the uncertainty surrounding the outcome of the vote and the potential for party divisions to deepen, the political landscape in Washington remains volatile as the story continues to unfold.
