The House of Representatives is currently grappling with a motion put forth by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene to remove Speaker Mike Johnson from his position. Greene, a Republican from Georgia, has been vocal in her criticism of Johnson's handling of government funding and foreign aid, leading to her motion to vacate the chair.
After Greene marked her resolution as 'privileged,' House leaders now have two legislative days to either vote on the motion or table it. The atmosphere in the House chamber was tense as Greene listed her grievances against Johnson, with reactions ranging from boos to calls for order.
While the vote is anticipated to be close, both Republicans and Democrats have expressed opposition to the motion, fearing the potential chaos that could ensue if a new speaker had to be elected. Johnson's leadership has faced scrutiny from conservative members of his party, particularly regarding critical legislation such as foreign aid and government funding.
Despite gaining support from some fellow Republicans like Reps. Thomas Massie and Paul Gosar, Greene's push to oust Johnson has not gained significant traction within the House GOP. The delicate balance of power in the House, with a slim majority of two seats, means that any dissent could potentially lead to Johnson losing his position.
Unlike a previous attempt to remove ex-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, where some House Republicans crossed party lines, House Democrats have pledged to support Johnson by voting to table the resolution. This procedural move would effectively block Johnson's removal without requiring a direct vote on the matter.
Johnson, undeterred by Greene's threats, has emphasized his commitment to governing and downplayed the impact of the motion on his leadership. The unfolding situation in the House underscores the tensions and divisions within the Republican Party and the challenges of maintaining unity in a closely divided Congress.
