Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has moved to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson, calling for his resignation or facing removal. Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie has announced that he will co-sponsor the motion to vacate the speaker filed by Greene. Johnson had worked with Democrats to approve a government funding package and avert a partial shutdown, leading to calls for his removal. However, Johnson has stated that he is not resigning and finds the motion to vacate to be absurd. Massie has predicted that the motion will be called and Johnson will lose more votes than Kevin McCarthy, the former speaker who was ousted in October.
Johnson unveiled a plan to push forward with four bills to address foreign aid, including separate funding for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan, as well as other GOP foreign policy priorities. The urgency to approve the funds for Israel came after unprecedented airstrikes by Iran over the weekend. Johnson stated that they are in unprecedented times and he considers himself a wartime speaker, emphasizing the need for steady leadership during these challenging times. The push for foreign aid funding is a critical issue that is being addressed in the House.
The tension within the Republican conference regarding the Speaker’s leadership and decisions has escalated, with Greene leading the charge to remove Johnson from his position. Johnson’s collaboration with Democrats on government funding and foreign aid has sparked controversy and led to calls for his resignation or removal. The House Republicans are divided on this issue, with Massie supporting Greene’s motion to vacate the speaker’s position. Johnson has remained steadfast in his refusal to resign and has characterized the motion as detrimental to the House Republicans’ agenda and the country as a whole.
Ultimately, the fate of Speaker Mike Johnson remains uncertain as the motion to vacate his position gains support from key Republican lawmakers. The ongoing battle within the party over leadership and decision-making processes is evident in this latest development. The House Republicans must now navigate through this internal conflict and determine the best course of action moving forward. Johnson’s refusal to resign sets the stage for a potentially contentious vote on his removal, which could have broader implications for the Republican party and its unity in the House of Representatives. The outcome of this situation will have far-reaching consequences for the party’s direction and future leadership.
