House Speaker Mike Johnson and GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene engaged in a second meeting on Tuesday, with Greene hinting at a potential ouster vote against the speaker. However, it remains uncertain whether a resolution will be reached to prevent the vote from proceeding.
Following their meeting, Greene refrained from specifying a timeline for the potential ouster vote and did not commit to initiating the process this week. She emphasized that Johnson has a limited window to address a list of demands she presented, which include adherence to the Hastert Rule, defunding the special counsel's investigation into former President Donald Trump, halting aid to Ukraine, and implementing a 1% reduction in the federal budget if certain conditions are not met.
Greene stated that they are awaiting Johnson's response to their demands and indicated that a prompt reply is expected. While no specific deadline was set, Greene mentioned that the timeframe for a response is relatively short.
When asked about the possibility of proceeding with the ouster vote this week, Greene deferred to Johnson, indicating that the ball is in his court. Johnson, on the other hand, described the discussions as productive and expressed optimism about reaching a resolution.
Johnson emphasized that the talks were not negotiations but rather a part of the ongoing process of engaging with members of the conference. He underscored his commitment to leading the conference and highlighted his support from former President Trump.
Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, along with Greene, is giving Johnson a final opportunity to align with Republican interests before the next meeting. Massie emphasized the importance of certain 'suggestions' that matter to the conference and the need for Johnson to demonstrate his allegiance to the party.
Despite the looming threat of an ouster vote, Johnson has remained steadfast in his position, asserting that he will not resign and warning of potential chaos in the House if such a vote were to take place.
The interactions between Johnson, Greene, and other Republican members reflect the ongoing dynamics within the party as they navigate internal challenges and seek to maintain unity amidst differing viewpoints.
