Several Republican lawmakers continue to create chaos in the House of Representatives, which has become a focal point in the middle of the presidential campaign. Republican members in the House are divided among moderate Republicans and far-right conservatives, the latter group led by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Rep. Matt Gaetz, die-hard Trump supporters known for their controversial moves. The current situation has led to several resignations, further weakening the party’s slim majority in the House.
The issues
The chaos among Republican representatives started last year when Florida Rep. Gaetz managed to get enough votes to oust then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Several months later, Speaker Mike Johnson, who has had a hard time leading the group under these circumstances, is threatened by Georgia Rep. M. T. Greene with ousting. Unlike Gaetz, who had much more support from other representatives last year, Greene faces serious opposition and criticism in the case of Speaker Johnson. The latest to join the list is Rep. Dan Crenshaw from Texas, who publicly attacked Greene and her plan to oust Speaker Johnson.
The threats
A few weeks ago, Greene announced her intent to file a motion to dismiss Johnson but hesitated on formally submitting it. However, she quickly reversed her decision when Johnson backed government funding, which included a significant aid package for several foreign nations, such as Ukraine. Last week, Rep. Crenshaw stated that there’s not much support for Greene’s effort to oust Johnson and that a “strong majority” would likely vote to table her motion-to-vacate, which she introduced in March.
“She needs her time in the spotlight, you know, and it’s been a while, and I think it’s one last ditch effort to get attention, is what she’s looking for,” Crenshaw told Fox News’ Neil Cavuto during his Saturday appearance on the network.
“It’s based in what exactly — that Mike Johnson brought bills to the floor that were necessary for national security that the vast majority of members wanted to vote on?” Crenshaw said. “So allowing the democratic process to move forward. Our process that we have in our constitution to move forward is apparently the crime of the century, according to these people.”
Support from other Republicans
While Crenshaw publicly opposes Greene’s push to remove Speaker Johnson, two other House members, Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), fully back Greene’s mission. Crenshaw criticized them for not contributing through legislation themselves.
“Marjorie Taylor Greene has never tried to lay out a plan to get border security done along with the supplemental package,” Crenshaw said. “Tom Massie has never done anything on that front. She’s never written legislation on asylum reform, or anything to do with border security, and a lot of us have.”
The Texas lawmaker said “they make it impossible” for the conference to wield influence in the House when passing legislation. When Republicans can’t secure the deals they want, Johnson takes the heat. He argued that it’s a political game, urging voters not to be fooled by it.
Not everyone is happy with Johnson’s latest moves
Some hardline House Republicans aren’t pleased with Johnson’s bipartisan dealmaking but haven’t supported the resolution to strip him of the gavel. House Democrats have pledged to back Johnson after he put Ukraine aid to a bipartisan vote. In the Senate, conservative members have criticized Greene’s efforts, stating that Congress has bigger priorities and that Johnson is doing the “very best possible” given the House’s razor-thin majority.
Greene decided to postpone the filing of the motion
On Tuesday, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene seemed to ease her push to oust Speaker Mike Johnson this week, but she maintained her intent indefinitely, ensuring Johnson remains on a short leash as he navigates the House’s one-vote majority. This change follows Greene’s second meeting with Johnson in two days. Prior to their Tuesday meeting, Greene shared a list of demands for the speaker that she expects to be met in the near future.
