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Congressional Democrats appear ready to save Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) from a motion to vacate if one is triggered, according to a report.
The post Democrats Could Save Speaker Johnson from Potential GOP Ouster Effort appeared first on Breitbart.
The House Sergeant at arms has threatened Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) with a $500 fine for posting a video on X of Democrats waving Ukraine flags as the House passed tens of billions in funding for Ukraine's faraway war effort against Russia, according to Massie.
The post House Sergeant at Arms Threatens Thomas Massie with Fine for Videoing Democrats Waving Ukraine Flags appeared first on Breitbart.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) celebrated Democrats seizing the House by unprecedentedly relying on the opposition party to force President Joe Biden's priority of Ukraine border defense funds toward a full House vote on Saturday.
The post Speaker Mike Johnson Celebrates Democrats Seizing House: ‘We’re Happy’ appeared first on Breitbart.
Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) said he would be "open" to backing Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's (R-GA) motion to vacate if she makes it privileged.
The post Eli Crane ‘Open’ to Supporting MTG’s Motion to Vacate if She Forces Vote appeared first on Breitbart.
Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) on Friday said that Rep. Matt Gaetz's (R-FL) move to oust then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has turned the House into a "Lord of the Flies"-type situation.
The post Byron Donalds: Matt Gaetz’s Ouster of Kevin McCarthy Brought House to ‘Lord of the Flies’-Type Environment appeared first on Breitbart.
A third House Republican has announced he will co-sponsor a motion to vacate introduced by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., that, if passed, would end Mike Johnson’s tenure as House speaker after fewer than six months.
If all 213 House Democrats vote in support of the motion to remove Johnson, R-La., as speaker, only three Republicans would need to cross over for the motion to carry, 216-215, once Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., resigns, as he plans to do imminently.
Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., announced that he would join the Georgia Republican’s effort to oust Johnson, saying in a written statement:
[R]ather than spending the resources to secure our southern border and combating the invasion of 11 million illegals and despite repeated promises there would be no additional money going to Ukraine without first securing our border, the United States House of Representatives, under the direction of the speaker, is on the verge of sending another $61 billion to further draw America into an endless and purposeless war in Ukraine.
“Our border cannot be an afterthought,” Gosar added. “We need a speaker who puts America first rather than bending to the reckless demands of the warmongers, neocons, and the military-industrial complex making billions from a costly and endless war half a world away.”
My statement joining .@RepThomasMassie on cosponsoring .@RepMTG Motion to Vacate:
— Rep. Paul Gosar, DDS (@RepGosar) April 19, 2024
Gosar Statement on Supporting the Motion to Vacate the Speaker
Washington, D.C. — Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-09), issued the following statement after cosponsoring H.Res. 1103,…
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., announced earlier this week he supports Greene’s motion to vacate.
Gosar’s decision comes as Johnson relied on House Democrats’ votes to pass a series of foreign aid bills opposed by many conservative Republicans.
Johnson brushed off the threat of Greene’s motion to vacate Wednesday, saying: “I am not resigning. And it is in my view an absurd notion that someone would bring a vacate motion when we are simply here trying to do our jobs.”
Johnson became House speaker in October after the ouster from the post of his predecessor, former Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., by a motion to vacate. The Kentucky Republican has faced increasing pressure from conservatives in the House.
Johnson continues to have the support of former President Donald Trump, who said Johnson is doing a “very good job” when the two appeared together April 12 at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home in Florida.
“I stand with the speaker,” Trump said.
Johnson was elected House speaker with the votes of 220 Republicans. His predecessor, McCarthy, was removed as speaker after eight Republicans and all Democrats voted against him.
Since Johnson became speaker, McCarthy and Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., have resigned and left Congress. Former Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., was expelled in a House vote, and Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., plans to resign soon.
When Gallagher leaves office, that will leave 217 Republicans and 213 Democrats, a razor-thin Republican majority.
Jarrett Stepman contributed to this report.
This article has been corrected to reflect which state Johnson represents.
The post Third Republican Announces Support for Ousting Johnson as House Speaker appeared first on The Daily Signal.
Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) announced he would join Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's (R-GA) motion to oust Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA).
The post Paul Gosar Is Third Republican to Join Motion to Vacate Speaker Mike Johnson appeared first on Breitbart.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) made an explosive allegation Thursday as some House Republicans fight to change House rules to protect Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA).
The post Thomas Massie Implies Presidential Aspirations Fuel Mike Johnson’s Power Grab appeared first on Breitbart.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) came out Thursday in opposition to the current rules on the motion to vacate that threatens to end his speakership, lamenting he does not have the votes to change the rules at this time.
The post Johnson: Motion to Vacate ‘Harmed this Office,’ But We Lack the Votes to Change the Rules for Now appeared first on Breitbart.
Former President Donald Trump on Thursday reminded globalists on Capitol Hill pushing foreign aid that no one speaks for him but himself.
The post Donald Trump to Capitol Hill Globalists Pushing Foreign Aid: ‘I Am the Only One Who Speaks for Me’ appeared first on Breitbart.
The House Freedom Caucus said that the path toward securing the border goes through killing Speaker Mike Johnson's foreign aid package.
The post House Freedom Caucus Official Position: Kill Mike Johnson’s America Last Rule appeared first on Breitbart.
Rep. Thomas Massie said Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is preparing to pass a rule for the foreign aid package using Democrats.
The post ‘Unprecedented’: Speaker Mike Johnson Moves to Pass Rule for Ukraine Aid Using Democrats appeared first on Breitbart.
The bills in the House's foreign aid package, which will be up for a vote Saturday, would appropriate a combined $95 billion for Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific, with a lion's share of $60.84 billion for Ukraine.
The post Breakdown: Foreign Aid Bills Would Send $95 Billion to Ukraine, Israel, Indo-Pacific appeared first on Breitbart.
Representative Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) said Wednesday on MSNBC’s "Andrea Mitchell Reports" that his fellow Republicans pushing an effort to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) did not have a replacement plan.
The post GOP Rep. Armstrong on Attempts to Oust Speaker Johnson: ‘I Don’t Know Who Would Want the Job at This Point’ appeared first on Breitbart.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) had kind words for far-left CNN host Jake Tapper Wednesday after the cameras appeared to turn dark.
The post Mike Johnson Praises CNN’s Jake Tapper Off-Air: ‘You’re Always Fair’ appeared first on Breitbart.
Sen. Rand Paul blessed Rep. Thomas Massie's move to oust Speaker Mike Johnson, saying that Republicans need someone with "courage."
The post Rand Paul: Thomas Massie ‘Doing the Right Thing’ to Oust Mike Johnson as Speaker appeared first on Breitbart.
Rep. Thomas Massie told Sirius XM’s Breitbart News Daily on Wednesday that Speaker Mike Johnson "is not equipped" for the speakership.
The post Exclusive–Massie: Speaker Johnson ‘Not Equipped for This Job’; Calls for Boehner-Type Resignation While GOP Picks New Speaker appeared first on Breitbart.
Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday backed off support for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) as conservatives have moved to remove him.
The post ‘We’ll See What Happens’: Donald Trump on Mike Johnson as Conservatives Move to Oust Him as Speake appeared first on Breitbart.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) told Breitbart News exclusively that she is prepared to force House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) out of his position with a vote to vacate the chair if the Speaker does not willingly resign the position.
The post Exclusive – MTG on Mike Johnson Speakership: ‘It’s Over – He’s Just the Only One Who Hasn’t Acknowledged It’ appeared first on Breitbart.
A defiant House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) declared Tuesday at a press conference he would not resign after being urged to do so by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), who is now cosponsoring Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s (R-GA) motion to oust him from the speakership.
The post Johnson Rejects Call for Resignation, Says MTG’s Massie-Backed Motion to Vacate Is ‘Absurd’ appeared first on Breitbart.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), who faces growing threats of being ousted, will need to turn to Democrats for help on a rule to hold a foreign aid package vote.
The post Imperiled Speaker Johnson Needs Dems’ Help to Pass Rule for Foreign Aid Vote as Motion to Vacate Gains Steam appeared first on Breitbart.
Rep. Thomas Massie told Speaker Mike Johnson that he would cosponsor Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's motion to vacate the chair.
The post Thomas Massie Joins MTG’s Motion to Vacate as Opposition to Mike Johnson Grows over Ukraine appeared first on Breitbart.
The House passed a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) extension Friday after intense lobbying from the Biden administration overcame opposition that tanked the bill earlier this week.
The post House Passes FISA Extension After Warrant Requirement Defeated in Tie appeared first on Breitbart.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) said that Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) killed the Constitution Friday by casting the tie-breaking vote against requiring warrants for searches of Americans' communications.
The post Thomas Massie: Speaker Johnson Lit Constitution on Fire by Casting Deciding Vote for Deep State Spies appeared first on Breitbart.
House Speaker Mike Johnson’s office told Breitbart News exclusively that he intends to remain as Speaker of the House after he cast the deciding vote against ending the deep state’s warrantless surveillance of American citizens on Friday.
The post Exclusive — ‘He’s Not Resigning’: Speaker Johnson Defiant After Casting Deciding Vote to Continue Deep State’s Warrantless Surveillance appeared first on Breitbart.
President Joe Biden backed a bill House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) hopes to pass on Friday that would reauthorize a controversial surveillance bill.
The post Biden Backs FISA Bill as Speaker Mike Johnson Moves Again to Renew Spy Powers Authority appeared first on Breitbart.
Rep. Austin Scott, a Republican from Georgia who has criticized conservatives and is campaigning actively against the House Freedom Caucus chairman, is Speaker Mike Johnson’s choice for a newly vacant seat on the powerful Rules Committee.
Scott’s selection Wednesday infuriated conservatives on Capitol Hill. The Daily Signal spoke with several lawmakers and staffers whose reactions ranged from shock to disappointment that Johnson, R-La., would pick someone who is openly trying to unseat one of the House’s most prominent conservatives.
“This the wrong person for the wrong role at the wrong time,” a Republican member of Congress told The Daily Signal.
By picking Scott for the Rules Committee, one of the oldest and most powerful in the House of Representatives, Johnson revealed whom he trusts to determine floor activity and advance the speaker’s agenda.
“It’s hard to see Johnson’s move here as anything except needing an attack dog against conservatives,” said a former Republican staffer, who requested anonymity to speak candidly. “You get the impression he’s going to use Austin Scott to help as a blockade on the Rules Committee and throughout the [Republican] conference. That’s the signal it sends.”
Johnson’s staff acknowledged The Daily Signal’s request for comment, but did not provide a response.
Scott, a close ally of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., sought the speaker’s job in October in an ill-fated run against Rep. Jim Jordan, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.
At the time of McCarthy’s ouster as speaker, Scott issued a statement calling the eight members who voted to remove McCarthy “nothing more than grifters who have handed control of the House to the Democratic Party in the name of their own glory and fundraising.”
Scott continued, “There is nothing principled about what they did, and Republican leadership will have to decide to either hold these members accountable or lose the faith of the rest of the conference.”
Months later, he took aim at one of the eight in particular: Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., chairman of the House Freedom Caucus. Scott donated to Good’s primary challenger, John McGuire, in Virginia’s 5th Congressional District. Last month, Scott was a featured guest at a McGuire fundraiser.
Despite Scott’s actions, Johnson handpicked him for a coveted seat on the powerful Rules Committee.
“Speaker Johnson keeps saying, ‘We’re on the same team, knock it off, please stop this.’ But he’s not actually doing anything to stop it,” a Republican staffer told The Daily Signal. “Now, Austin Scott, one of the guys who started this civil war on the primary campaign trail, is put on the Rules Committee. The speaker isn’t ending the war, he’s escalating it by rewarding people going after conservatives.”
And while Scott’s public actions have revealed his contempt for conservatives, lawmakers and staff said he is even more hostile to them in private settings.
“He’s got a short fuse and a hot temper,” another Republican member said of Scott. “Quite honestly, he doesn’t have the temperament to be a legislator.”
Scott’s communications director declined to make him available for an interview with The Daily Signal and instead pointed to his brief statement on X.
It is our sworn duty as members of Congress to govern, and I look forward to serving on the Rules Committee to help advance legislation that benefits the American people.
— Rep. Austin Scott (@AustinScottGA08) April 11, 2024
Known as the “speaker’s committee,” the Rules Committee includes nine Republicans and four Democrats. One of those seats became vacant this week when Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., won the gavel for the House Appropriations Committee.
Two members of the House Freedom Caucus—Reps. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., and Chip Roy, R-Texas—currently serve on the Rules Committee with another conservative-leaning member, Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky. Their three votes, combined with four Democrats, are enough to sink the speaker’s plans.
After years of being shut out of the Rules Committee—and any semblance of negotiation over its membership—conservatives scored seats on the panel as part of a deal with McCarthy, resulting in his election to speaker in January 2023.
Unlike when McCarthy negotiated with members, Johnson instead moved swiftly without consulting conservatives about Scott’s selection.
“It is the speaker’s committee, and he can do whatever he wants with it. But in a one-seat majority, there should be a conversation,” a GOP staffer told The Daily Signal. “You talk to people about who’s interested, who might be a good fit, who might be a productive addition on the Rules Committee.”
A former Republican staffer described it as a curious move on Johnson’s part.
“You already have conservatives angry at you for a variety of reasons,” the former staffer said. “You have a one-seat majority. You have a pending motion to vacate [the speaker]. It’s not exactly the time to poke the bear.”
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., filed a motion to vacate March 22, but has not yet forced a vote. If it’s successful, Johnson would lose the speaker’s job, just as McCarthy did before him.
“Speaker Johnson lives in peril every day for his job depending on what he does,” a Republican member said. “It’s a dicey situation. It appears to me that there are other candidates who are interested in being speaker in the new term.”
Since joining Congress in 2011, Scott has focused his attention on serving the rural Georgia district he represents. He is a member of the House Intelligence Committee, the Armed Services Committee, and the Agriculture Committee. He has a lifetime score of 77% on Heritage Action’s Scorecard.
Scott also has developed a reputation among conservatives on Capitol Hill, according to lawmakers and staff who spoke to The Daily Signal.
“Austin Scott is a hothead, a notorious hothead,” a Republican staffer said. “He frequently loses his temper inside conference meetings with other members. He’s threatened, berated, cursed out members.”
Scott’s decision to endorse Good’s primary opponent, therefore, didn’t necessarily come as a surprise. However, it did anger conservatives, particularly because Johnson has privately counseled GOP members not to engage in primaries between fellow Republicans. The speaker recently made another appeal at GOP lawmakers’ retreat last month in West Virginia.
“Austin Scott endorsed Bob Good’s primary challenger, attended a fundraiser with him,” a Republican staffer said. “Mike Johnson, repeatedly for several weeks, has lectured the conference about what he calls the hot war on the campaign trail with primaries against incumbent Republicans. The moderates started this by going after Bob Good.”
Good, who boasts a 99% lifetime score on Heritage Action’s Scorecard, joined the House in 2021 after knocking off an incumbent Republican. He took over as chairman of the House Freedom Caucus in January.
Scott is one of at least six House Republicans who are backing Good’s opponent. Others include House Armed Services Chair Mike Rogers, R-Ala., and Reps. Jen Kiggans, R-Va.; Ryan Zinke, R-Mont.; Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis.; and Morgan Luttrell, R-Texas.
“Conservatives were appealing to the speaker to end the civil war before it got out of hand,” a Republican member told The Daily Signal. “And when he refused to, we let everyone know that we’re not going to take all the casualties.”
That’s led some conservative members to make their own endorsements against moderate Republicans.
Good, for example, is backing GOP challenger Derrick Evans in West Virginia’s 1st District against incumbent Rep. Carol Miller, R-W.Va., a leader of the moderate Republican Main Street Caucus. Its affiliated PAC, the Republican Main Street Partnership, is actively spending money against Good.
Notably, Johnson has withheld his own endorsement from Good, whose primary election is June 18. A spokesman for the speaker’s political operation did not respond to The Daily Signal’s request for comment.
The post Speaker Johnson’s Choice for Key House Committee Sparks Backlash appeared first on The Daily Signal.
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