April 18, 2024

Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie Joins Marjorie Taylor Greene's Push to Oust House Speaker

In a surprising move, U.S. Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky has thrown his support behind Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene's campaign to remove House Speaker Mike Johnson from his position. Massie's decision marks the second instance of a House Republican publicly backing Greene's motion to vacate the chair held by Johnson.

During a closed-door meeting of GOP House members on Tuesday, Massie made his stance clear, expressing his intention to support Greene's effort. Following the meeting, Massie emphasized the inevitability of the motion being called and predicted potential consequences for Johnson.

While the timing of a vote on Greene's resolution remains uncertain, Massie's support underscores growing discontent within Republican ranks regarding Johnson's leadership. Massie hinted at Johnson's vulnerability, suggesting that he may lose more votes than Kevin McCarthy did during a previous leadership challenge.

Johnson's ability to retain the speakership may hinge on securing support from House Democrats, particularly amid ongoing debates over issues like aid for Ukraine. With the House narrowly controlled by Republicans, Johnson can only afford to lose the backing of a few GOP lawmakers.

Massie cited various factors, including recent House decisions on issues like the FISA reauthorization and foreign aid packages for Israel and Ukraine, as motivations for his decision to align with Greene. He called for Johnson's resignation, a demand the speaker dismissed as "absurd."

The situation has left some Republican lawmakers conflicted. Representatives like Dan Meuser of Pennsylvania condemned Greene's motion, while others like Scott Perry refrained from taking a definitive stance. Despite concerns over potential chaos and instability, Perry suggested that alternatives to Johnson's leadership exist within the GOP.

Fellow Republican Garrett Graves of Louisiana expressed skepticism regarding the success of Greene's resolution, highlighting the lingering trauma from past leadership disputes. He cautioned against repeating history, emphasizing the challenges of forming a majority coalition to support a new speaker.

Ohio Representative Jim Jordan, co-founder of the House Freedom Caucus, echoed these sentiments, labeling the push to remove Johnson over foreign aid as ill-advised. Jordan emphasized the importance of unity within the party and urged against divisive actions that could disrupt Republican cohesion.

As tensions escalate within the GOP, the fate of Johnson's speakership hangs in the balance. With competing interests and complex dynamics at play, the House faces a pivotal moment that could shape its leadership and direction for the foreseeable future.

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