Johnson Opposes Effort To Oust Him

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) rejected an effort by some Republican representatives to oust him over a prospective foreign aid bill. The speaker’s statements came after withering criticism from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), who called for him to step aside.

Several members of the House Republican caucus objected to Johnson endorsing a foreign aid package that included funds for both Israel and Ukraine. Taylor Greene wrote on social media that passing an aid package to Ukraine during the current situation in the Middle East would be “antisemitic.”

Greene was joined by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), who joined Greene is cosponsoring a motion to vacate against the speaker.

Massie said that he told the speaker that he was cosponsoring the resolution.

“He should pre-announce his resignation (as Boehner did), so we can pick a new Speaker without ever being without a GOP Speaker,” said Massie, referencing former House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH).

“I am not resigning, and it is, in my view, an absurd notion that someone would bring a vacate motion when we are simply here trying to do our jobs,” Johnson said during a press event this week.

The speaker said that the effort was “not helpful to the cause” and “not helpful to the country.”

“It does not help the House Republicans advance our agenda, which is in the best interest of the American people here: a secure border, sound governance. And it’s not helpful to the unity that we have in the body,” he said.

Greene filed the motion to vacate last month stating that she believed Johnson “betrayed” House Republicans by supporting a $1.2 trillion government spending package last month that prevented a government shutdown.

BREAKING: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) told Breitbart News exclusively that she is prepared to force House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) out of his position with a vote to vacate the chair if the Speaker does not willingly resign the position. pic.twitter.com/v1i8vsNSEX

— Simon Ateba (@simonateba) April 17, 2024

“It’s more of a warning than a pink slip,” she said at the time. “There’s not a time limit on this, it doesn’t have to be forced… But I’m not saying that it won’t happen in two weeks, or it won’t happen.”

It is unclear whether the motion to vacate will be successful in removing Johnson.