Since McCarthy was removed as Speaker and Mike Johnson (R-LA) was installed, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) has become the instigator of removal talks.
Greene has been threatening to remove Johnson, even introducing a motion to vacate (that motion has not yet been put on the floor for a vote), and now she is doubling down on her objections to how Johnson is running the House.
Talking Points…
- Johnson passes budget bill and vows to put Ukraine aid on the floor
- Greene pushes back
- Analysis
When Johnson put the budget bill on the floor that would keep the government operational through September, he did so without the support of the entire GOP caucus. The bill passed 286-134, garnering more support from Democrats than Republicans. The measure was also rushed through the House, not giving members the 72-hour review that had been negotiated under McCarthy.
Many members of the GOP expressed concern, such as Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL), who stated:
"I have multiple concerns, among them are the many new social services that this bill would create for the millions of illegal immigrants streaming across our border.
"Additionally, it would fund facilities providing routine abortion services, including late-term abortions. The Senate must respect the work of the House. In good conscience, I cannot and will not vote for these projects or this bill."
Prior to the Easter recess, Johnson also vowed to bring Ukraine aid to the floor when House members return to Congress. This issue has been a sore spot for Republicans, who are demanding more accountability for any aid sent to Ukraine.
Greene has not held her tongue on this matter, responding to Johnson's vow to put Ukraine aid on the floor as a "cruel joke." She stated:
"If Speaker Johnson gives another $60 billion to the defense of Ukraine's border after he FULLY FUNDED Biden's deadly open border, the cruel joke would be on the American people."
Being home for Easter did not soften her stance on the matter, as Greene was still spitting venom at Johnson on Monday morning. Greene stated:
"Speaker Johnson completely surrendered all power we had in the House to stop horrendous crimes like child rape by illegals when he fully funded Biden's deadly open border without a fight."
Johnson stated over the weekend that he and Greene had been texting and planned to talk more about these issues when they returned from the break. He also started to push the idea that Greene needs to start to understand that with such a thin majority, Republicans will not get everything they want.
He also pushed the narrative that she needs to back off on the talk of removing from Speaker, putting the majority at risk in the upcoming election. He stated:
"I think all of my other Republican colleagues recognize this as a distraction from our mission.
"The mission is to save the republic. And the only way we can do that is if we grow the House majority, win the Senate and win the White House. So we don't need any dissension right now."
When Johnson won the gavel, I stated that he was in an unenviable position. However, he was the one who pushed not to do business as usual in the house and make changes, so he turned around and did business as usual. I am not saying that Johnson needs to buckle in full because I do believe that members need to be realistic about what they can pass with a razor-thin margin in the House and Democrats running the Senate.
Having said that, he cannot merely ignore members' concerns when he knows the entire Democrat caucus will support the legislation he is passing because of the perception that it benefits Democrats more than Republicans. As I have stated before, Johnson's job right now is to get this caucus on the same page because if he does not, Republicans will lose the House, which will be an absolute disaster if Trump wins the election and does not have both chambers behind him to pass legislation.
