House Speaker Mike Johnson (R) already faced backlash for rushing a vote on what Republicans have called the "Swamp Omnibus." With the spending package now having passed, some Republicans are pursuing a response. Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R) has filed a motion to oust Speaker Johnson from his position.
Ahead of the vote, Republicans were vocal about their opposition to the spending package.
Texas Rep. Chip Roy (R), who's even called out social conservative groups for not speaking out against the "Swamp Omnibus," commented that "a no vote on the Swamp Omnibus is a vote for America. A yes vote is a vote for the swamp."
A no vote on the #SwampOmnibus is a vote for America. A yes vote is a vote for the swamp. https://t.co/UVGAcDC19a
— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) March 22, 2024
Ultimately, the spending package has passed, and now Republican opposition is looking to oust Speaker Johnson.
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) March 22, 2024
Rep. Greene, who supported Speaker Johnson assuming the position, did not file the motion as privileged, meaning that it could be referred to a committee instead of being filed as privileged, which would force a vote within two legislative days.
In speaking to reporters about the motion, Rep. Greene said that the motion to vacate was "more of a warning than a pink slip," adding that she does not intend to "throw the House into chaos."
“I’m not saying that it won’t happen in two weeks or it won’t happen in a month or who knows when. But I am saying the clock has started. It’s time for our conference to choose a new speaker,” Rep. Greene commented.
As the House embarks on a two-week recess, the expressed plan is for the recess to be used to figure out when the motion to vacate should be brought up. The House is scheduled to return to session on April 9th.
Speaker Johnson has not commented on the motion, but Raj Shah, a spokesman for the Speaker, said that Speaker Johnson's focus is “on governing. He will continue to push conservative legislation that secures our border, strengthens our national defense and demonstrates how we’ll grow our majority.”
