House Republicans Engage in Verbal Sparring and New Ultimatums Towards Johnson on Aid Approval

Right-wing lawmakers are increasing their efforts to remove Speaker Mike Johnson from his position. Johnson's supporters are urging him to make it more difficult for them to oust him from the speakership.

According to reports from CNN and other sources on Thursday morning, multiple GOP members are pressuring Johnson to raise the threshold needed to trigger the process of removing the speaker. This change would help ensure that the Louisiana Republican can pass foreign aid bills and maintain his position without having to rely on Democrats for support. Currently, any individual member can initiate a floor vote on the motion to vacate as part of the agreement Kevin McCarthy made when he became speaker last year.

The suggestion sparked anger among conservative lawmakers who are unhappy with the speaker's proposed bills to provide aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. There has been a growing effort to potentially remove Johnson, led by Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. The proposal to alter the rules for removing the speaker has sparked speculation about Johnson's future.

It is uncertain what Johnson will decide, but members think he is contemplating changing the process known as the motion to vacate the chair. This would be a significant decision by Johnson.

Rank-and-file House Republicans have been quietly urging Johnson to change the rule for foreign aid bills to make it more difficult for any individual member to use the motion to vacate.

The House has completed its floor activities for the day, so Greene would only be able to attempt to remove Johnson on Friday at the earliest. If Greene decides to go ahead with this move, the House will need to address it within two legislative days. A majority vote would be necessary to successfully remove Johnson.

House leadership will need to make a decision on how to address the issue. They could choose to propose a motion to table or kill the resolution, which would require a simple majority to pass.

Punchbowl News was the first to report that Johnson was being urged to raise the threshold.

Hardliners were angry with Johnson as tensions ran high in the House on Thursday morning. Johnson found himself surrounded by a group of far-right lawmakers on the House floor, engaging in a heated discussion. He was pressed against the back wall with members surrounding him from all sides, while the speaker continuously turned his head to respond to the members addressing him.

The group asked Johnson for reassurances that he would not increase the threshold for the motion to vacate. The speaker did not give a commitment, which left many lawmakers angry. Some even said that this was their red line and could lead to the motion to remove him moving forward.

GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz, who was part of the discussion, informed CNN, "We made it clear to him that any attempt to change the threshold for the motion to vacate would likely trigger the motion itself."

GOP Rep. Derrick Van Orden joined a heated floor conversation that had been ongoing for 20 minutes. He challenged his right-wing colleagues to take action against Johnson and even referred to Gaetz as "tubby."

During the conversation, a GOP lawmaker, who requested anonymity, revealed that Van Orden began pressuring everyone to proceed with a motion to remove Johnson.

The GOP lawmaker described Johnson as “very frustrated.”

Greene warned the speaker against trying to change the threshold and refused to rule out moving to remove him on Thursday.

Mike Johnson needs to meet with our conference to discuss changing the motion to vacate. He should come before the Republican conference that elected him and explain his intentions. Greene told CNN’s Manu Raju that it is important for Johnson to inform us about the rule change he is proposing for the motion to vacate.

Greene expressed her concern, stating that this situation is unprecedented and has never occurred before in history. She emphasized that it is completely wrong for Johnson to not communicate with the conference. According to Greene, Johnson owes our conference the truth and Republicans deserve answers from him.

Lawmakers discussed the motion to vacate on the floor. They also tried to convince Johnson to reconsider his stance on the foreign aid bills, but he was not open to their suggestions.

Conservative Rep. Anna Paulina Luna shared that she advised Johnson to take a step back on Wednesday night. She expressed concerns that supporting the motion to vacate could jeopardize the Republican majority, as hardliners oppose the supplemental package.

She said the bigger issue at hand right now is why there is messaging from the speaker that contradicts what happened a few months back. Democrats are considering how to move forward.

The House Rules Committee will meet on Thursday morning to start reviewing the foreign aid bills. The text of the rule will be revealed after it is approved by the committee, which is anticipated to happen later in the day.

Democrats will play a crucial role in the committee vote and on the floor to move the rule forward. The House Democratic Caucus is currently deciding on their next steps, especially with Johnson's job at stake and the important three-part supplemental aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan in a delicate position.

Democrats are still split on the issue. Some believe it's crucial for the party to overcome the intense partisanship in Congress to provide vital aid to Ukraine. Others feel that it's the responsibility of Republicans to establish their own guidelines.

Democratic Rep. Dan Kildee expressed his thoughts on the matter to CNN. He mentioned that it adds another layer to the situation and criticized it as a ridiculous rule. Kildee questioned whether the focus should be on assisting Ukraine during a global security crisis or getting involved in Republican politics.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a Democrat from Washington state, expressed her refusal to back a Republican rule, even if it involved modifications to the motion to vacate.

Jayapal stated, "I believe they should be able to pass the rule independently, but I have always felt that Kevin McCarthy made a mistake by agreeing to it. He compromised his principles early on, thinking he could manipulate everyone."

Democratic Representative Mike Quigley expressed his support for the rule and mentioned that he would consider backing it further if there was a modification to the motion to vacate process.

Quigley emphasized the importance of addressing dysfunction within the system, stating that it affects everyone. He stated his willingness to explore any necessary changes in order for the government to function effectively.

Democratic Rep. Jared Moskowitz stated that he would need to hear from leadership before making a decision on whether to support the proposed change.

Many Democrats see Johnson as a more trustworthy figure than McCarthy. Even though they may not see eye to eye on various matters, they acknowledge that Johnson has been a reliable partner in crucial moments, such as passing government funding and providing aid to Ukraine.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

CNN’s Haley Talbot contributed to this report.

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights the growing tension within the Republican Party, as right-wing lawmakers increase pressure on Speaker Mike Johnson to remove him from his position. The proposed change in the motion to vacate threshold has sparked anger among conservatives who oppose Johnson's foreign aid bills, while Democrats remain divided on the issue. The article provides a detailed account of the heated discussions on the House floor, where Johnson faced intense scrutiny from his fellow Republicans. The situation adds to the ongoing challenges faced by House leadership in maintaining unity and addressing the concerns of both moderate and hardline members. It is uncertain how the issue will be resolved, but it has the potential to further divide the party and create obstacles for passing important legislation.

Overall, the article illustrates the complex and often contentious nature of American politics, where ideological differences and personal ambitions can clash and shape the legislative process. It highlights the challenges faced by leaders in navigating these divisions and the potential consequences when consensus is difficult to achieve.