Louisiana ultraconservative Rep. Clay Higgins posted a video calling Greene a friend but said, “Marjorie has made a big mistake.” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to discuss House leadership issues Friday. “Get your popcorn, sit tight and watch what’s happening” she continued.
The narrowest majority in history gives Johnson little control over House Republicans. He can only risk a few defectors on any vote, therefore he may be easily deposed without Democratic support.
Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, a Trump friend who helped ousted McCarthy by far-right Republicans, urged against ousting Johnson for fear of a Democratic speaker. Gaetz was one of eight Republicans who voted to oust McCarthy of California in October, along with all Democrats who refused to save the embattled speaker.
This time, Republican legislators frustrated up with the process may vote for New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic leader. Democrats might also vote to save Johnson. Gaetz predicted late Thursday that a Democrat would replace this speaker. “When I vacated the last one, I promised the country no Democrat speaker. I couldn't promise again today." A Republican House majority voting for a Democrat as speaker is unprecedented.
However, with Republicans at war, it might happen as they strive to normalize Congress. Rep. Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, who had already announced his retirement, said he would leave next month, joining a flood of GOP legislators leaving the House. After leading the funding package to House passage, Texas Rep. Kay Granger indicated she will leave her position as Appropriations Committee chair but remain in Congress.
Greene came out against House ratification of the government funding bill before submitting her action to remove the speaker, and she has threatened to remove him if he supports Ukraine in its fight against Russia. Johnson denied a House vote on a $95 billion Senate-passed national defense plan included Ukraine cash, but he pledged to fund Ukraine next. His removal threat puts any votes for Ukraine at risk.
Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., a top McCarthy lieutenant who negotiated the budget pact on its path to becoming law, believes it will demonstrate budget compromise. He said it proved the McCarthy debt ceiling agreement's durability.
Democratic and Republican spending goals were met in the middle. He stated, “In time, this will be viewed as a legislative success and the high point of a very broken and divided Congress.”
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