Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Initiates Motion to Oust House Speaker Mike Johnson Over Spending Deal Dispute

Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia has taken the initial steps to remove House Speaker Mike Johnson from his position following a dispute over the comprehensive spending deal. While lawmakers worked to avoid a partial government shutdown, Greene, known for her hardline stances, expressed opposition to the legislation, labeling it a ‘Democrat-controlled bill’ in the Republican-led House.

The Georgia representative did not provide a clear timeline for seeking recognition for a motion to vacate Speaker Johnson from his role, indicating it was more of a preemptive measure than an immediate action. Majority Leader Steve Scalise, however, voiced confidence that Johnson will retain his position.

Johnson, who has been in office for only five months, had negotiated several key policy wins with Democratic leaders and the White House. Despite this, Greene accused him of yielding too much power and failing to deliver on promises made to fellow Republicans.

The motion to vacate, reminiscent of the removal of previous Speaker Kevin McCarthy, could trigger a vote of no confidence in the Speaker. In a dramatic turn of events last year, McCarthy was ousted following a similar motion filed by Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida. The House was left without a speaker for several weeks, causing legislative business to stall.

While the outcome of Greene’s motion remains uncertain, some Democrats have indicated willingness to support Johnson if the Republican-led House were to remove him from power. Johnson’s approach in collaborating with Democrats on the spending bill mirrors that of his predecessor, McCarthy, who also faced criticism from the conservative faction within the GOP.

The spending package that caused division within the House, securing more Democratic than Republican support, will now be sent to the Senate for approval in order to avert a government funding lapse. President Biden recently signed another package to fund various government departments, emphasizing the urgency to prevent a shutdown.

This latest development underscores the ongoing tensions within Congress as party lines blur and internal rifts strain leadership positions. With crucial decisions looming, including those related to the Supreme Court, the fate of Speaker Johnson hangs in the balance.