A second House Republican has joined the effort to oust Speaker Mike Johnson. Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky announced his support for the motion to vacate resolution introduced by Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia.
This development has escalated the risk of another leadership election, just six months after Johnson assumed the top job.
The motion to vacate resolution is a significant move within the Republican party to remove Speaker Mike Johnson from his position. Massie’s decision to co-sponsor the resolution indicates growing discontent within the party regarding Johnson’s leadership. Massie suggested that Johnson should pre-announce his resignation, allowing for a smooth transition to a new GOP Speaker.
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“The motion is going to get called, and then he is going to lose more votes than Kevin McCarthy,” Massie said, “And I have told him this in private weeks ago.”
This motion draws parallels to the resignation of former House Speaker John Boehner in 2015, who stepped down in the face of a similar conservative rebellion. If the motion is called and successful, Johnson will become the second speaker in history to lose the gavel through a motion to vacate vote.
Despite mounting pressure, Speaker Johnson remains defiant and has categorically stated that he will not resign. He accused his critics of undermining Republican legislative priorities and expressed his commitment to doing his job. Johnson emphasized that bringing a motion to vacate is not helpful to the cause, the country, or the House Republicans’ agenda.
“That’s a distraction. What Marjorie has done with the motion to vacate is not helpful for our party, for our mission to save the country, because if we don’t grow the House majority, keep the House majority, win the Senate and win back the White House for President Trump, we’re going to lose the republic,” Johnson said.
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Massie’s Prediction and Strategy
Congressman Massie predicted that Johnson would lose the vote on the motion to vacate and become the second speaker to be removed from office. He believes that it is Johnson’s responsibility to recognize that he does not have the necessary support and take appropriate action.
Massie’s decision to support the motion is significant, given his position on the Rules Committee, which is typically aligned with the speaker’s wishes.
However, Massie’s placement on the committee by Congressman Kevin McCarthy suggests a divergence from Johnson’s leadership. Johnson has had to bypass the Rules Committee on several occasions to advance critical legislation, indicating strained relations within the party.
Uncertain Outcome and Potential Chaos
The success of the motion to vacate depends on the support it receives from both Republicans and Democrats. With Massie and Greene against him, Johnson will need some Democrats to vote in his favor to retain the speaker’s chair. Several centrist Democrats have already indicated their willingness to support Johnson, highlighting the potential for a fractured outcome.
If the motion to vacate is successful, the House of Representatives may once again face a period of chaos and instability. After Kevin McCarthy’s removal in October, the chamber experienced weeks of gridlock until a new leader was selected. Johnson’s tenure, which began just six months ago, could abruptly end if the motion to vacate gains traction.
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Johnson’s Foreign Aid Proposal
The timing of Massie’s announcement coincided with Johnson’s proposal to advance a series of foreign aid bills through the House. This plan aimed to address months of inaction on the issue, particularly regarding funding for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and humanitarian efforts. Johnson’s proposal involved splitting the package into separate bills, with some amendments to the Senate’s version.
While Johnson’s plan received tepid praise from many House Republicans, hard-right conservatives expressed frustration with the bundling of the bills into one larger funding package. Greene, who had previously hinted at forcing a vote on the motion to vacate over Ukraine funding, voiced her opposition to Johnson’s plan and echoed Massie’s call for the speaker’s resignation.
The Implications for Johnson’s Strategy
Assuming Johnson does not resign, his strategy for surviving the motion to vacate vote will be challenging. With the Republican majority hanging by a thread, Johnson can afford only two GOP defections.
Massie and Greene’s opposition places him in a precarious position, requiring Democratic support to retain his position.
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The Potential Fallout
The success or failure of the motion to vacate will have far-reaching consequences for the Republican party and the House of Representatives.
If Johnson is removed, the House could experience a prolonged period of disarray, impeding legislative progress and hindering the advancement of Republican priorities.
The fallout from McCarthy’s removal in 2023 serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating the potential consequences of a divided party.
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