Conservative leader Marjorie Taylor Greene sparked controversy within the Republican Party by advocating a vote to remove fellow Republican Mike Johnson from the position of Speaker of the US House of Representatives. The Greens’ bold move threatens to disrupt party unity ahead of a crucial election in November.
Green publicly criticized Johnson, saying he had repeatedly shown incompetence in his role. He announced his intention to start voting next week, drawing a swift response from Johnson, who described his actions as damaging to the party and the country.
Should Green’s proposal succeed, it would be the second time in less than a year that the House would have to choose a new speaker after ousting Kevin McCarthy in October. However, the chances of Green’s proposal passing are uncertain, with many House Republicans opposing it.
House Democratic leaders have promised to thwart Green’s efforts by voting to table his proposal, and have expressed confidence that it will not succeed. Uncertainty remains, however, about how many House Democrats would support such a move, as it would have to be backed by a speaker from the opposing party.
Supporters of Green’s proposal, including Representatives Thomas Massie and Paul Gosar, argue that it is necessary to hold Johnson accountable for his actions. Green filed his proposal in March after Johnson cooperated with Democrats to pass spending legislation, a move that drew criticism within the party.
Despite facing opposition from both Democrats and some Republicans, Greene remains steadfast in her quest for accountability within the House leadership. His unexpected use of House rules to vote on Johnson shows his commitment to transparency and accountability, even in the face of resistance from party leadership and former President Trump.