The drama from the threat of a motion to recall Speaker Johnson from the Speaker’s chair has ended unceremoniously, dying out with the defeat of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s bill. After several lengthy meetings trying to come to terms with Johnson, Greene went ahead with her motion to vacate, which failed spectacularly after former President Trump gave his vote of approval for the Speaker.
Boos on the House Floor
Greene’s efforts to oust Johnson and detailing a list of grievances against him were denounced by many Republican colleagues, and she was booed on the House floor.
Labeling Johnson’s Leadership
Greene painted Johnson as “pathetic, weak, and unacceptable” following a failed attempt on Greene’s part to gain the concessions she sought from Johnson. In reaction to the unsuccessful listening sessions, Greene triggered the vote to unseat the Speaker.
Swift Counteraction
Immediately upon hearing of Greene’s decision to trigger the referendum vote, Republican Majority Leader Steve Scalise countered with a vote to table the motion, effectively killing consideration of Greene’s motion.
Vote Results
Greene did have the support of 43 colleagues who voted with her to unseat Speaker Johnson. The remaining 359 members voted to retain the Speaker. This represents the overwhelming consensus in the House to maintain stability throughout the end of the Congress session.
Johnson’s Response
Speaker Johnson spoke following the vote, expressing his desire to continue in his role through this Congress. He has said in recent weeks that he hopes to lead his Conference after the 2024 election as well, intending to implement new rules to maintain stability if his party remains in the majority in November.
End of Discord
This vote marks the end, for now, of a rare and significant level of discord among Republicans in the House of Representatives. This Congress saw the attempt to remove two different leaders, and while the first attempt to remove former Speaker Kevin McCarthy was effective, the Conference learned something about a leadership vacuum and is not eager to revisit that situation.
Democratic Support
The support in recent weeks of Democratic leaders who vowed to protect Speaker Johnson’s job was pivotal in thwarting Greene’s motion. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and other leaders have stated, without prior consultation with Johnson, that they would back him for Speaker rather than fall back into chaos without the Republicans having an electable leader at the ready.
Ukraine Aid Package Controversy
Some House Republicans led by Greene were upset with Johnson for pushing through an aid package featuring funding for Ukraine. Greene had threatened Johnson in advance of holding a vote on the aid package.
Trump’s Influential Endorsement
Despite Greene’s efforts and the ire of Republicans with a different ideological view toward aid, former President Trump played an outsized role in commanding Republican support for Speaker Johnson. Trump endorsed Johnson after meeting him at his Florida Mar-a-Lago residence. Trump’s support was especially profound, as he had previously been allied closely with Greene.
Greene’s Diminished Standing
In the aftermath of the vote, Greene has lost an important place she once held in the party. While appearing in months past as a fighter and idealist for her conservative values, some say that this failed vote has marked her as an ideologue who has sacrificed the good of the larger body for her own particular views. This is seen as self-serving and not the mark of a good party leader.
Forcing Accountability
Despite losing the good opinion of some colleagues, Greene redoubled her commitment to holding House Republican leadership accountable. One way she intended to do this was to force a yes or no vote on Speaker Johnson’s actions. The results revealed that Greene was in the minority within her own party, not Speaker Johnson, as she had expected.
Distance from Greene
Not wanting to be marked as a troublemaker, many other Republicans sought to distance themselves from affiliation with Greene. For example, Rep. Dusty Johnson from South Dakota stated, “They’re pretty good at getting attention, but they have not been recognized for their ability to get things done…I think you can expect more of the same: failure.”
Criticisms from Colleagues
Florida Republican Rep. Carlos Gimenez said of Greene, “She doesn’t represent the Republican Party. I’m tired of this being the fact or the voice of the party and getting attention. That’s all she wants, and that is the attention.
