The Power Struggle in the House of Representatives: Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Challenge to GOP Speaker Mike Johnson
In a dramatic turn of events last week, Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, known for her fiery rhetoric and unwavering support of former President Donald Trump, filed a motion to remove current GOP Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson. Greene accused Johnson of betraying their conference and violating the long-standing rule that legislation in a Republican-led House must be passed by a majority of its Republican members.
Greene, who thrives on media attention much like Trump, expressed her discontent to reporters on Friday, stating that Johnson had “betrayed our conference and broken our rules.” The recent spending bills, which kept the US government open with more Democratic support (185) than Republican support (101), were the catalyst for her action. However, Greene’s attempt to oust Johnson cannot occur immediately as the House is currently on a two-week recess.
Many may recall that similar attempts to remove Speakers occurred just a few months ago when Representative Matt Gaetz led the charge against then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, leading to a three-week-long work stoppage in the House. In the end, Johnson, a relatively unknown GOP lawmaker from Louisiana, was elected Speaker by a chastened and exhausted Republican conference.
Now, Greene is threatening another round of House dysfunction by potentially forcing a vote on Johnson’s removal. With current House rules allowing one member to initiate such a vote, Democrats could save Johnson’s job by voting as a bloc along with moderate Republicans. However, some Democrats have indicated they may not do so for several reasons.
Firstly, Johnson’s extreme stance on election denialism is a significant concern. After the January 6 attack on the Capitol aimed at preserving Trump’s power despite his 2020 election loss, Johnson voted against certifying President Joe Biden’s victory. He went beyond simply voting against Biden’s win and recruited other GOP House members to sign an amicus brief supporting a Texas lawsuit to overturn the results in Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Secondly, Johnson’s radical views on abortion are deeply concerning. He has advocated for legislation defining life as starting at conception and labeling fetuses as human beings, leading to women being forced to carry a fetus against their will under restrictive measures enacted in numerous GOP-controlled states. After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Johnson announced that officials in Louisiana would impose harsh labor and fines on anyone performing an abortion.
Given the gravity of these issues, some Democrats view a vote to save Johnson’s speakership as an opportunity to hold a House vote on desperately needed aid for Ukraine. However, any deal would likely require Johnson agreeing to harsh new border security restrictions, which Democrats should not support unless he agrees to a co-speakership with the House Democratic leader or 50-50 power sharing on all House issues.
The question remains: why should any Democrat vote to keep a person with Johnson’s record as Speaker of the House, considering he would be just second in line for the presidency? Democrats should use this opportunity to remind voters of the GOP’s inability to govern effectively and their focus on chaos and ego-driven infighting.
Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, a former House member with close ties to his colleagues there, warned that removing Johnson would harm both GOP incumbents and challengers seeking to flip seats due to the chaos that ensues. Mullin’s assessment highlights the potential challenges Democrats may face in dealing with this power struggle within the House.
In conclusion, Marjorie Taylor Greene’s attempt to remove Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House will undoubtedly result in significant disruption and uncertainty. While some Democrats may view a vote to save Johnson’s speakership as an opportunity, it is crucial that they consider the long-term implications for their party and the American public. Ultimately, the GOP’s inability to govern effectively and focus on divisive issues should not be rewarded with the Speakership of a far-right election denier and anti-abortion extremist.