Greene Files Motion To Vacate Against Speaker

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) filed a motion to vacate the position currently held by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) this week after the chamber passed a large $1.2 trillion spending package to keep the federal government open. The move could lead to a significant power struggle on Capitol Hill, including a possible alliance between Johnson and congressional Democrats.

Greene said that the current motion was “more of a warning than a pink slip.”

She added that there was no firm time limit on her motion and that it could be activated at any time.

“Speaker Johnson violated our rules and forced us to vote for a bill funding open borders, abortion and trans ideology for our kids,” she wrote on social media.

“Republican voters deserve a leader who will stand up, not roll over to Chuck Schumer. It’s time to select a new Speaker of the House,” Greene added.

Speaker Johnson violated our rules and forced us to vote for a bill funding open borders, abortion, and trans ideology for our kids.

Republican voters deserve a leader who will stand up, not roll over to Chuck Schumer. It's time to select a new Speaker of the House. pic.twitter.com/0tvb4X5xU2

— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) March 22, 2024

There is word that some House Democrats said that they would help Johnson retain the position if he faces a formal vote. Johnson also announced that he would seek a vote on a foreign aid package to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan in April.

House leadership has gone through several cycles since Republicans gained control of the chamber after the 2022 election. Facing a small majority, former Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) attempted to put together a coalition to become speaker.

However, McCarthy faced significant opposition from members of the House Freedom Caucus, including Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL). Gaetz and several other members of the House rejected McCarthy during the first several votes for the position. Following multiple rounds of voting, McCarthy made several concessions, including the ability for a single member of the House to submit a motion to vacate.

Gaetz utilized this ability to oust McCarthy from the position last year over a similar spending package deal. As a result, the seat became vacant and a number of Republicans attempted to gain the speakership.

However, after multiple rounds of votes, the position remained vacant, even after a bid by Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH). Johnson reached the number of votes needed for the position, being approved by the Freedom Caucus and other factions within the House GOP.