Speaker Johnson Refuses to Modify Motion to Vacate Rule

Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., reaffirmed that he will not make changes to the House speakership removal rule.

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

“Recently, many members have encouraged me to endorse a new rule to raise this threshold. While I understand the importance of that idea, any rule change requires a majority of the full House, which we do not have. We will continue to govern under the existing rules.”

Republican Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Thomas Massie of Kentucky have threatened to introduce a resolution to remove Johnson due to his support for Ukraine aid without border language.

Johnson had reportedly considered reinstating the threshold for introducing a motion to vacate that had been lowered by former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to a single member.

Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., expressed support for Johnson’s removal if he were to make that change.

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., also hinted at supporting such a move to avoid a motion to vacate.

Greene accused Johnson of collaborating with Democrats to secure his position as Speaker.