Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA ) is making yet another attempt to oust Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA ) from office.
On Wednesday morning, Greene and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY ) gathered at the Capitol to make their next moves after publicly calling for Johnson to step aside or face a motion to leave.
The pair’s increase follows House Democrat government’s Tuesday support of Johnson, in which they announced their intention to stand any movement to depart.  , The Democrat statement praised Johnson for partnering with a “bipartisan coalition” of President Biden and” traditional Republicans”  , to” ]push ] back against MAGA extremism” – a characterization of Johnson unlikely to find favor with Donald Trump– and unleash tens of billions in aid to Ukraine and Gaza.
Massie stated that he and Greene will discuss how the Democratic support “affects the motion to abandon the uniparty Speaker” on Wednesday.
. Monday at the Capitol Triangle, @RepMTG and I will hold a press conference. Mike Johnson is still in favor of having him as Speaker now. The Motion to Remove the# Uniparty Speaker will be discussed in more detail. photograph. twitter.com/2e1Fxapi3K
— Thomas Massie ( @RepThomasMassie ) April 30, 2024
Greene and Massie have echoed traditional problems that Johnson has abandoned his earlier commitments and otherwise advanced, even fought for, President Joe Biden and Democrats ‘ plan that extend beyond the most centrist side of the House Republican Conference.
In just six months as Speaker, Johnson rammed through a multi-trillion money two-part ominbus spending bill that nearly funded almost all of Biden’s priorities, flip-flopped to abolish the requirement for intelligence agencies to obtain a warrant before surveilling Americans, and gave up on a months-long pledge not to move overseas aid before taking action on border security.
Perhaps Biden’s top priorities during the second half of his presidency were passing the Foreign Surveillance Act without a warrant requirement and providing tens of billions in aid to Ukraine. Johnson gave Biden the outcome he desired, over the objections of the majority of his own party, as well as the warrant requirement, in which case Johnson was the decisive vote.
Republicans have openly speculated about what agreement Johnson could have made with Democrats to protect his speakership from Republicans who are getting increasingly frustrated with his support for a Democrat agenda even before he caved on funding for Ukraine.
What shady arrangement did Johnson make with the Democrats ‘ supporters? Greene asked.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortes (D-NY ) stated on Tuesday that while Johnson’s surrender on Ukraine aid earned him goodwill with Democrats, they should demand more, a sentiment shared by other Democrats both in public and private.
” I do n’t think we give these things for free”, she said. This is a crucial time for Democrats to use this opportunity to assert our priorities, according to the member of the committee that I do believe the vote on Ukraine aid has helped many members of this caucus.
After a round of votes ended for about a half hour, Greene and Massie huddled together on the House floor with other Republican lawmakers before sneaking out a side door past reporters and into the House Parliamentarian’s office. After leaving ten minutes later, they mostly ignored reporter inquiries, with Greene saying only that” Plans are still developing.”
They made a press conference announcement soon after.
Many Republicans may choose to wait until November to replace Johnson despite the Republican public’s widespread resentment toward him.
” We are passing the Democratic agenda each and every day that we’re here”, Rep. Lauren Boebert ( R- CO ) lamented. ” We have a slim majority in the House, and it’s — everything’s being passed overwhelmingly with Democrat support. So it makes no difference if Mike Johnson or Hakeem Jeffries is the speaker?
Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX ), one of the conservatives who have been most openly critical of Johnson, claimed that his removal now with few significant legislative items left this year might have little impact.
” We’ve been moving legislation with a significant amount of Democrat votes”, he said, but” We’ve already moved most of the things. So we’re now just trying to figure out how to move forward as a family.
Greene and Massie’s plan is unknown for now.
If they impose a vote, it must occur within two legislative days. However, Johnson is likely to force a vote on the motion’s motion right away given the current state of the Democratic leadership.
However, there is no set number of times Greene or any other lawmaker can compel a motion to veto a vote. Other than a formal condemnation, other lawmakers would have little recourse.
Greene’s threat of a censure is unlikely to deter him. Making things as uncomfortable as possible for Johnson and the Republican and Democratic coalition that supports him until he loses support or gives up the gavel of his own accord may be a part of her calculus.
Regardless of how Greene and Massie decide to proceed, their position will compel House Republicans to reevaluate why they are even in office and who can best guide them in the direction of their stated legislative objectives both now and after the election.
In the end, the legislation we’ve been passing is not what our people sent us to do. Roy said. ” So now we’ve got to figure out, what does that mean between now and November”?
Breitbart News ‘ Capitol Hill correspondent, Bradley Jaye. Follow him on X/Twitter at , @BradleyAJaye.
