JUST IN: House Blocks MTG’s Motion To Remove Speaker Mike Johnson

After weeks of speculation, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) motioned to remove House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-GA).

Greene had hinted that she would be filing a motion to vacate the chair, which would allow the Speaker position to become vacant if just one member files the motion. The rule was initially done away with by former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), though former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) reintroduced it as part of an agreement to save his position in 2023. The rule was ultimately used to oust McCarthy last year.

The Georgia congresswoman has pointed to Johnson’s failure to negotiate a meaningful border security package before capitulating on a $60 billion foreign aid package endorsed by President Biden and Democrat leaders. The package ultimately passed with every Democrat voting “yes,” as well as half of the Republican conference.

“This is a Chuck Schumer House bill…a disaster,” Greene told Steve Bannon after the bill was passed. “This is something that every single Republican voter in the country is screaming against. This takes away every single ounce of strength and leverage that the House of Representatives have.”

Johnson’s position is not currently in danger, however, as the House quickly moved to block Greene’s motion. A subsequent motion to table Greene’s motion succeeded with the help of Democrats, passing by a vote of 359 to 43.

Greene and Johnson – as well as U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) — had several meetings earlier this week in which Greene outlined her concerns. The House was set to go into recess when Greene filed her motion, which automatically set a two-day legislative two-legislative-day clock for GOP leaders to vote.

House Republicans were reportedly caught off guard by the move, as many believed Greene’s concerns had been addressed during the meetings.

““I was shocked,” U.S. Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA) told CNN.