Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene is negotiating with Speaker Johnson weeks after she threatened a vote to oust him from his position at the head of the House Republican Conference. Prior to her meeting with Johnson, Greene publicly revealed her demands of the Speaker in order to regain her support.
Greene’s Public Demands
Greene took to X to lay out four requests which she will discuss with Speaker Johnson in a series of private meetings this week.
Return to Hastert Rule
First, Greene wants to see a return to the “Hastert Rule,” which was a rule designed by former Speaker Dennis Hastert who served as speaker from 1999-2007.
Hastert Rule Ensures Majority of Majority Support for Legislation
The function of the Hastert Rule is to only bring legislation to the floor that is agreeable to the majority of the majority party. For example, the majority of Republicans in this Congress must want a bill to pass before the Speaker would bring it to a vote.
No Further Funding for Ukraine
Second, Greene wants the Speaker to commit to no further funding for Ukraine. Many conservatives balked at the $61 billion aid bill recently brought to the House Floor by Johnson which passed relying on democratic support.
Defunding Biden Administration’s Probe
Third, Greene wants to defund the Biden Administration’s probe into the actions of former President Donald Trump.
Support for Funding Bill and Spending Cut
Last, Greene insists that Johnson support a funding bill that will avoid a government shutdown between now and the November election and at the same time cut spending one percent.
Greene Believes Her Demands “Are Not Unreasonable”
Greene holds that these demands “are not unreasonable requests” and that Johnson should be able to get it done since we are a Republican-controlled Congress.”
Misconception of Control
In fact, contrary to what Greene stated, Congress is not controlled by a Republican majority– only the House is controlled by a small majority of Republicans. In the Senate, Democrats hold a slim majority.
Johnson Describes Limitations
In discussing his limitations in passing legislation according to his preferences, Johnson said, “I would really like to advance much more of our conservative policy on a daily basis here. But the reality is we are working with the smallest majority in U.S. history with a one-vote margin.”
Greene’s Demands May Lead to Bills that Are Dead on Arrival in Senate
Greene may want Johnson to push through Republican initiatives relying only on majority votes, but the result will be legislation that is dead on arrival in the Senate.
For Bills to Become Law, Three Governmental Bodies Must All Agree
When considering must-pass legislation, such as government funding bills, both Chambers of Congress must reach a settlement and pass identical legislation. Then, the President must also agree with the legislation for it to become law.
Upcoming Meetings
The two leaders are set to meet twice this week, with Rep. Thomas Massie in attendance as well as another representative of the most conservative faction in the Republican party.
Johnson’s Clarification on Negotiations
While Johnson’s meeting with Greene and Massie were lengthy and involved, Johnson has said that the meetings are not a negotiation. At a weekly press conference, Johnson said, “It’s not a negotiation at all. What we’re trying to do and what my job is, is to every day improve processes, procedures, our policy preferences, or legislation and make sure that we can build the right consensus to get everybody together.”
Johnson Considers Funding Probe
Johnson has not definitively commented on the four tenets of Greene’s requests, but he has stated that he is considering the issue of funding for the special counsel’s probe into Trump. About the ongoing probe, Johnson said, “We’re looking very intently at it because I think the problem has reached a crescendo.”
