U.S. Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) has announced his intention to co-sponsor Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene’s (R-GA) motion to vacate the chair and remove House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) from his position. Massie emphasized the need for Speaker Johnson to pre-announce his resignation, akin to former Speaker John Boehner’s approach, to facilitate the smooth transition to a new GOP Speaker without any interruption.
In late March, Greene initiated the motion to vacate the chair, a procedural move allowed under the House rules adopted during the tumultuous tenure of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. This motion can be brought to the House floor with the support of just one member. Greene’s warning about the potential consequences of the “minibus” funding bill on Speaker Johnson’s leadership highlights the growing discontent within certain Republican circles.
Speaker Johnson, however, has dismissed the notion of resigning, labeling it as absurd and emphasizing the importance of the House’s ongoing mission. Despite the challenges and threats from fellow Republicans like Greene and Massie, Speaker Johnson retains support from many House Republicans, recognizing the complexities of leading a diminishing GOP majority in the House.
Recent developments, including Speaker Johnson’s meeting with former President Trump at Mar-a-Lago and their joint announcement regarding voter eligibility, underscore Trump’s endorsement of Speaker Johnson’s leadership. Trump’s statement expressing confidence in Speaker Johnson’s performance and Greene’s acknowledgment of the speaker’s capabilities indicate a divided sentiment within the Republican Party regarding the motion to remove Speaker Johnson from his position.