Republican lawmakers are continuing to criticize Georgia congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene after she warned she will soon follow through on her threat to try and oust House Speaker Mike Johnson. Speaking to CNN’s Manu Raju at the Capitol, multiple GOP House members hit out against Greene’s plans to introduce a motion to vacate against Johnson for pushing a number of foreign aid bills through the lower chamber, including a $61 billion package to Ukraine, with Nebraska Rep. Dan Bacon saying “98 percent of us” consider Greene’s move “disgusting.”
On Wednesday, Greene said she will force a vote on whether Johnson should be removed from his role as House Speaker next week. However, due to the GOP’s one-seat majority, any motion to vacate would need the full support of House Republicans and the help of Democrats to succeed. Democrat House leaders have already said they will vote down any attempt to remove Johnson as Speaker to “push back against MAGA extremism” and prevent a repeat of the weeks of chaos that engulfed the lower chamber after Kevin McCarthy was ousted last October.
Johnson has suggested Greene is not “proving to be” a serious lawmaker for threatening to call a motion to vacate despite not having the votes on either side. A number of other Republican figures are also lashing out at Greene for her stunt, which is seemingly doomed to fail.
“I think this is all about wanting more attention and not producing actual results,” New York Rep. Marc Molinaro told CNN. Tennessee’s Andy Ogles described Greene’s threat as a “distraction” and a “mistake.” Wisconsin Rep. Derrick Van Ordern added: “We have to understand this is not a junior high school, reality television show.”
Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, who spearheaded the move to vacate McCarthy, said he will not support Greene’s attempt to remove Johnson as it may damage the GOP’s reputation with voters. “I think in an election year right now, it probably doesn’t portend it too well,” Gaetz said.
Greene previously said that she doesn’t “give a rat’s a**” what her colleagues think about her hopes to remove Johnson. “I voted for Mike Johnson because his voting record before he became speaker was conservative. But once he became speaker, he has become a man that none of us recognize,” Greene said. “I can’t wait to see Democrats go out and support a Republican Speaker and have to go home to their primaries and have to run for Congress again, having supported a Republican speaker—a Christian conservative. I think that will play well.”
Greene’s office has been contacted for further comment via email. Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie and Arizona’s Paul Gosar are the only other GOP House members to come out and say they would support a motion to vacate against Johnson. “Members have a weekend to decide whether to embrace the Uniparty that became obvious in the U.S. House when [House Democratic Leader] Hakeem Jeffries and the entire Democrat leadership team announced they want to keep Mike Johnson,” Massie posted on X, formerly Twitter.
In a joint statement, Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar explained why they will not support any motion to vacate put forward by Greene. “From the very beginning of this Congress, House Democrats have put people over politics and found bipartisan common ground with traditional Republicans in order to deliver real results,” the Democrats said. “At the same time, House Democrats have aggressively pushed back against MAGA extremism. We will continue to do just that. At this moment, upon completion of our national security work, the time has come to turn the page on this chapter of Pro-Putin Republican obstruction.”
The internal strife within the GOP is becoming increasingly evident as Greene’s actions are seen as a divisive move that could further fracture the party. Her insistence on pushing forward with the motion to vacate, despite widespread disapproval, underscores the deepening rifts within the Republican ranks. The term “disgusting” used by Rep. Dan Bacon encapsulates the sentiment of many GOP members who view Greene’s actions as counterproductive and damaging to the party’s unity and public image.
The controversy surrounding Greene’s threat to oust Johnson highlights the ongoing struggle within the Republican Party to balance differing ideologies and approaches to governance. While some members, like Greene, are pushing for more radical measures, others are advocating for a more measured and strategic approach, especially in light of the upcoming elections.
The reaction from Democratic leaders also indicates a strategic move to maintain stability and prevent further chaos in the House. By opposing Greene’s motion, they aim to present a united front against what they perceive as extremist elements within the GOP, thereby appealing to moderate voters and reinforcing their commitment to bipartisan cooperation.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how Greene’s actions will impact her standing within the party and her political future. Her willingness to defy party leadership and pursue controversial measures could either bolster her support among certain factions or lead to further isolation within the GOP.
In the broader context, this episode serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by political parties in maintaining cohesion and addressing internal conflicts. The use of terms like “disgusting” to describe actions by fellow party members reflects the intensity of the disagreements and the high stakes involved in navigating the complex landscape of modern American politics.
Source: Newsweek
