Johnson Responds After Speaker Vote
In a highly anticipated vote on Sunday, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) narrowly escaped being stripped of his gavel by his Democratic colleagues. After a resolution was introduced by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) to remove Johnson from his position, 163 Democrats voted to table the motion and keep Johnson in his role as Speaker.
This move was seen as a win for Johnson and his coalition government, as well as for Democrats who have been able to control the House agenda under his leadership effectively.
The final vote was 359 to 43, with seven Democrats voting present and eleven not voting. Additionally, ten Republicans did not vote on the motion, revealing a potential division within the Republican party over the issue. However, the overwhelming support from Democrats for Johnson shows that he still retains a strong grasp on the speakership, at least for now.
Greene’s motion to vacate the chair was filed on Wednesday evening and listed a number of alleged violations by Johnson that led to her decision to call for his removal. During her speech calling for a vote on the resolution, Greene faced heavy jeering and mocking from her colleagues. Despite this, she remained determined to bring the issue to a vote and hold Johnson accountable for his actions.
In response to Greene’s motion, Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) immediately moved to table the resolution. This would effectively kill the motion and prevent it from being brought up for a vote in the future. This move was expected, as Johnson and his leadership team had already promised to deliver the necessary votes to save his speakership.
However, the promise of support from Democratic leaders did not extend beyond the initial tabling vote. This leaves open the possibility for Greene, her ally Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), or any other Republican to force another vote on the issue in the future. So far, Democrats have not revealed their plans for how they would respond if this were to happen.
Throughout the proceedings, tensions ran high between Democrats and Republicans. Democrats openly praised Johnson for his leadership and ability to work across party lines, while Republicans criticized his actions and called for a change in leadership. This divide highlights the growing polarization and hostility in the House of Representatives.
Johnson’s coalition government with essential co-Speaker Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) has been a source of frustration for many Republicans who feel that they are being shut out of the legislative process. Jeffries has stated that despite being in the minority, Democrats have effectively been governing as if they were in the majority due to their control over the House agenda.
In the end, the vote to table Greene’s resolution was seen as a crucial win for both Johnson and Democrats, as it allows them to maintain their hold on the House and continue pushing their legislative priorities. However, the potential for another vote on the issue in the future remains, and it is clear that tensions between the two parties will continue to escalate.