Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene took action on Friday by filing a motion to remove Speaker Mike Johnson from his position, putting his speakership in jeopardy just a few months after he assumed the role.
Outside the U.S. Capitol, Greene informed reporters that she had taken action by filing the motion to vacate. She emphasized that it was intended as a warning and a pink slip. Greene expressed her respect for the conference and highlighted her commitment as a member in good standing. She made it clear that her intention was not to cause harm to her conference or create chaos in the House.
“This serves as a warning, urging us to proceed with caution and dedicate our efforts towards selecting a new speaker of the House. We need someone who will align with Republicans and support our Republican majority, rather than aligning with the Democrats,” Greene emphasized.
According to an aide from the speaker’s office, Greene has not made her motion privileged. This means that the motion cannot be considered until after the congressional recess, which ends on April 9. It is unclear when Greene plans to call for a vote on the resolution.
According to Raj Shah, Speaker Johnson’s spokesperson, Johnson prioritizes effective governance while also being attentive to the concerns of fellow members. Shah emphasized that Johnson remains committed to advancing conservative legislation that addresses border security, strengthens national defense, and showcases strategies for expanding the Republican majority.
When ABC News Senior Congressional Correspondent Rachel Scott inquired whether Greene had the backing of the GOP conference to remove Johnson, Greene did not provide a direct response.
“I can’t provide a specific number, but I’ve had conversations with numerous individuals who, although they may not publicly admit it, are silently relieved,” she replied.
The congresswoman did not mention her preference for a new speaker instead of Johnson.
“I believe the clock has started,” she expressed. “It is now the opportune moment for our conference to select a new speaker.”
Amid mounting frustration from the House Freedom Caucus regarding Johnson’s strategy to pass funding bills and prevent a government shutdown, Greene has decided to make a move.
On Friday, the House successfully passed a $1.2 trillion package to provide funding for various agencies including Defense, Financial Services, and Homeland Security, just before the midnight deadline. In order to meet this deadline, Johnson had to rely on the support of Democrats and make use of a suspension of the rules.
In a statement, Johnson expressed his support for the passage of the bill, describing it as a significant milestone in challenging the status quo. He emphasized that this achievement is the result of collaborative efforts in a government that is politically divided.
The spending package on Friday garnered more support from Democrats than Republicans. The final vote tallied 286-134, with over 100 Republicans voting against the measure.
Greene accused Johnson of being complicit in the passage of a “Democratic budget” in the House on Friday. She criticized him for bringing the package up for a vote without allowing votes on amendments and using the suspension of the rules.
Johnson’s predecessor, Kevin McCarthy, faced opposition from Republican hard-liners who were unhappy with his collaboration with Democrats on a last-minute agreement to prevent a government shutdown in the previous year. As a result, McCarthy was removed from his position.
House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good, R-Va., expressed his inability to defend the speaker and his decision to bring the motion to vacate to the floor for a vote. He emphasized that the focus should be on policy, actions, and performance, rather than talking about the speaker in a cavalier or flippant manner. Good highlighted the caucus’s consistent approach in assessing the speaker’s performance, both in the past and present.
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