Closing summary
The good news for Republican House speaker Mike Johnson is that his chamber managed to pass legislation to prevent a partial government shutdown that is set to begin at midnight. The bad news is that the bill was supported by more Democrats than Republicans, and rightwing congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene subsequently introduced a motion to kick him out of the speaker’s chair. Greene took issue with his approach to government spending, and specifically his collaboration with Democrats, but noted she viewed the motion as “a warning”, and did not say when she would call it up for a vote. House lawmakers are now heading out for a two-week recess, and the saga will likely continue after they return. As for the government shutdown threat, it’s now up to the Democratic-led Senate to pass the House’s bill, which Joe Biden says he will sign. They are expected to do that later today.
Here’s what else happened today:
Republican congressman Mike Gallagher announced he would leave Congress next month, dropping the GOP’s House majority down to just one seat.
At least two Democrats reportedly said they would not be on board with removing Johnson as speaker.
Russia and China vetoed an attempt by the United States to win UN security council approval of a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Donald Trump has reportedly unveiled a new funding strategy that will see donations channeled to a group that is paying his substantial legal bills.
Trump’s social media firm is going public after a shareholder voter, meaning the ex-president will soon be $3b richer.
Georgia Republican congressman Mike Collins won a reputation for tweeting his way through the chaotic weeks following Kevin McCarthy’s ouster as House speaker in October, and has maintained his sense of humor as the GOP majority shrinks to one seat:
1-vote margin in the House now. I'm not saying panic, but flying home in a 737 was already dangerous enough.
— Rep. Mike Collins (@RepMikeCollins) March 22, 2024
That is, of course, a reference to the troubles Boeing has had with some of its planes lately.
Meanwhile, Politico reports that soon-to-be-former congressman Mike Gallagher was recently sending his fellow lawmakers a certain book and cryptic note, both of which make a lot more sense now:
I'm told Gallagher's office was dropping this book off at offices yesterday.
— Daniella Diaz (@DaniellaMicaela) March 22, 2024
"We thought it was such a strange note but now it makes sense." pic.twitter.com/Ha9X8t9EiG
