Speaker Johnson refuses to change Motion to Vacate Rule

Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., insists he will not alter the rule regarding his removal from the House speakership role.

“Since the start of the 118th Congress, the House rule allowing a Motion to Vacate from a single member has negatively impacted this office and our House majority,” Johnson stated on Twitter.

“Lately, numerous members have urged me to support a new rule to increase this threshold. While I appreciate the importance of that suggestion, any rule change necessitates a majority vote of the full House, which we currently do not have. We will continue to abide by the existing rules.”

Republican Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Thomas Massie of Kentucky have threatened to introduce a resolution to oust Johnson, citing their displeasure with his efforts for Ukraine aid without border language attached.

Johnson had reportedly contemplated restoring the threshold for introducing a motion to vacate that was lowered by former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to a single member.

Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., affirmed on Thursday that she would support Johnson’s removal if he pursued this course of action.

“It’s a non-negotiable issue for me, without a doubt,” she stated.

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., hinted that he would also take a similar stance.

“I believe a motion to vacate could jeopardize the conference, and Ms. Boebert and I were striving to prevent that,” Gaetz explained. “Our objective is to avert a motion to vacate. However, we will not relinquish that accountability tool, especially in a time when we witness America’s interests being overshadowed by foreign interests.”

Greene accused Johnson of collaborating with Democrats to safeguard his position.

“Kevin McCarthy, even when faced with a significant threat, never engaged in such tactics: negotiating behind closed doors with Democrats to alter the motion to vacate. Unfortunately, it appears Mike Johnson is doing exactly that,” Greene remarked. “This is unprecedented and entirely unjust.”