The Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, faced a challenge from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene to oust him from power. The vote to kill Greene’s motion to vacate the speaker’s chair was 359-43, with 10 Republicans supporting her and 7 Democrats voting present. Johnson spoke out against the personality politics and character assassinations that have defined the 118th Congress and expressed gratitude for his colleagues’ confidence in defeating the motion. The vote came after threats from Greene to force the issue and Democrats made clear they would vote to save the speaker, especially after Johnson’s efforts to prevent a government shutdown and pass critical legislation.
House Democrats have been described as the adults in the room amid the drama over Greene’s motion to vacate the speaker’s chair. Johnson’s job was saved for the time being, but the fact that Democrats had to vote to keep him in power may anger conservative activists and outside groups. There is still a possibility that Greene or others could force another vote on Johnson’s fate in the future. While Greene’s campaign to oust Johnson never gained momentum among colleagues, her resolution was co-sponsored by only two fellow Republicans. Lawmakers, including many conservatives, expressed a desire to avoid a repeat of the chaos that occurred during the previous speaker fight.
During the vote, Greene quoted House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, citing a CBS “60 Minutes” interview where he acknowledged that Democrats effectively governed as if they were in the majority due to their support. Johnson was accused of siding with Democrats to preserve his own power rather than advancing Republican priorities, according to Greene. There were concerns among lawmakers about the potential division among Republicans if a vote to oust Johnson had caused similar chaos to what happened with former Speaker McCarthy. Members of both parties have said they want to focus on governing rather than engage in political games.
The response to Greene’s motion was met with criticism from Johnson allies and other lawmakers who viewed her actions as an act of political theater. There were calls for accountability for individuals who make decisions based on personal motives rather than the good of the country. Former President Trump expressed support for Greene but emphasized the importance of party unity and encouraged Republicans to vote to table her motion. Despite Trump’s remarks, the vote had already concluded before his statement was published, indicating that his influence did not impact the outcome. The vote to table the motion preserved Johnson’s position as Speaker of the House, but the dynamics within the Republican Party and ongoing tensions between factions may continue to play out in the future.
