According to three sources familiar with the matter, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has initiated a motion to remove Speaker Mike Johnson, NBC News reported. This move comes as the House was in the process of voting to prevent a government shutdown.
Johnson, a representative from Louisiana, has held the position of speaker for five months, succeeding Kevin McCarthy, who was removed from the role through a similar procedure.
The House’s response to Greene’s motion remains uncertain. Her motion requires a simple majority vote to remove the speaker. Notably, Greene, representing Georgia, did not submit the motion as privileged, which would have necessitated a vote within two legislative days. Instead, she filed it as a regular motion, potentially leading to its referral to a committee, where it may face delays.
Greene clarified to reporters that her motion to vacate was intended more as a cautionary measure than an immediate action, emphasizing her desire to avoid the chaos that ensued during the three and a half weeks when the House was without a speaker following McCarthy’s removal.
“I’m not suggesting it will happen in two weeks or a month, or at any specific time,” she explained. “But I am signaling that the process has begun. It’s imperative for our conference to select a new speaker.”
Furthermore, Greene stated that she had not conferred with former President Donald Trump regarding the motion.
According to an official familiar with the procedure, the House is scheduled to adjourn for a two-week recess starting Friday and will not address the motion until it reconvenes. The House is slated to resume its session on April 9.
Raj Shah, a spokesperson for Speaker Johnson, affirmed that the speaker’s primary focus remains on governance. He emphasized Johnson’s commitment to advancing conservative legislation aimed at fortifying border security, bolstering national defense, and outlining strategies to expand the majority.
Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, who instigated the vote to remove McCarthy as speaker, informed reporters on Thursday that he opposes a motion to vacate the chair and displace Johnson.
“If we were to vacate this speaker, we’d ultimately end up with a Democrat,” Gaetz asserted. “When I vacated the previous speaker, I made a commitment to the nation that we would not have a Democrat speaker. And I proved to be correct. I couldn’t make that assurance again.”
When questioned about the possibility, Gaetz explained, “We could have Republicans defect. I’m concerned that we have Republicans who might now support Hakeem Jeffries. I genuinely worry about that possibility.
I take no pleasure in saying it. However, a motion to vacate the speaker’s chair can only proceed if there’s certainty that party leadership won’t change hands. I was certain of that last time, but I’m uncertain this time.”
Gaetz’s action against McCarthy led to the unprecedented removal of a House speaker in the middle of a session, resulting in weeks of turmoil within the Republican majority as they scrambled to find a replacement, ultimately selecting Johnson.
Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee, who voted to oust McCarthy, stated that he would not support a motion to remove Johnson on Friday. “No, he hasn’t deceived me,” Burchett affirmed.