The resolution to oust the leader from the House is a rare practice in the US. In October, removing former Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy was the first time in US history.
On Wednesday, a similar resolution to oust Republican speaker Mike Johnson was made by Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. However, to the fortune of Johnson, the motion was not supported in the house.
What saved Johnson?
Greene’s speech on the House floor was met by loud boos from other members of the chamber.
196 Republicans and 163 Democrats voted to kill Greene’s motion, while only 11 Republicans and 32 Democrats voted to move forward with her motion.
The number of votes reflected an unusual display of bipartisanship wherein the Democrats backed the Republicans. Due to a slim majority of 217-213 in the House, Republicans being in the majority.
Greene wanted to oust Johnson; Why?
Johnson had recently made several compromises with the Democrats over a $95bn bill for security assistance to US allies Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. He helped pass this national security spending bill.
Greene filed the motion in March this year that would eventually trigger the vote on Mr Johnson’s removal. She had threatened for weeks to force the issue.
After the vote
Johnson told reporters he appreciated “the show of confidence” from his colleagues to defeat the “misguided” effort.
“Hopefully, this is the end of the personality politics and frivolous character assassination that has defined the 118th Congress. It’s regrettable. It’s not who we are as Americans; we’re better than this. We need to get beyond it,” he added.
Greene took it to her X handle, stating, “Democrats voted to save Johnson because they knew it was impossible to take control of the House,” among other statements.
I triggered my Motion to Vacate yesterday because Mike Johnson refused to commit to defunding Special Council Jack Smith.
Now, he’s not just saying he won’t defund it, he’s promising to PROTECT it.
If the Democrats saving Mike Johnson’s Speakership didn’t convince you he’s in…
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) May 9, 2024
Greene defended her resolution, saying, “It’s chaos for the American people every single day”. “While members of Congress whine that they don’t want to be cast into chaos, I think it’s time for our Congress here to grow a backbone and a spine and work for the American people for a change” and threatened to send the House into leaderless disarray.
