Second Republican backs effort to oust Speaker Mike Johnson from power

WASHINGTON – A second Republican said he would support efforts to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson, pointing to the GOP leader’s handling of foreign aid to Ukraine and other US allies.

Rep. Thomas Massey, a member of Johnson’s own Rules Committee, told the speaker directly to the speaker during a closed-door session of House Republicans on Tuesday that he sponsored the far-right lawmaker’s proposed resolution. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., ousting Johnson, R-La., from the top job.

“He should announce his resignation early (as Boehner did) so we can elect a new Speaker without ever having a GOP speaker,” Massie said. He wrote in XIt refers to former GOP Speaker John Boehner, who resigned mid-term in 2015 while facing a similar conservative revolt from Massie and others.

Johnson told ranking House Republicans in the room that he would not resign, a point Massie repeated to reporters.

“I am not resigning. And in my opinion, it’s an absurd idea for someone to bring in an eviction notice when we’re here just trying to do our job,” Johnson said after the private meeting. “This does not benefit the country at all. It doesn’t help House Republicans advance our agenda here, which is in the best interests of the American people: a secure border, sound governance — and it’s not good for the unity we have in the body.

He added: “I’m not worried about it. I’m going to do my job.”

With the GOP majority hanging by a thread, Johnson can afford to leave just two GOPs if Greene submits his motion as “privileged,” forcing a vote to vacate the speaker’s seat. In this scenario, to successfully remove him, at least three Republicans and all Democrats would have to vote to impeach Johnson to lose his job.

But some Democrats have said they will Vote to save Johnson To prevent the house from spiraling out of control, similar to what happened after last fall the Conservatives ousted then-Speaker Kevin McCarthyit led to three weeks of chaos that ultimately paved the way for Johnson’s promotion.

This week’s conservative rebellion comes as Johnson tries to pass a freeze in the House on foreign aid to US allies, including Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. Far-right members, including Green, are calling on Johnson and his leadership team to focus their attention and resources on strengthening the security of the southern border with Mexico.

Massey’s support for Johnson’s removal from office is significant in another respect. The Kentuckian serves on the Rules Committee, known on Capitol Hill as the “speaker’s committee” because its members are appointed by the speaker and usually carry out the speaker’s wishes. Massie was named to the influential panel by McCarthy last year, and Johnson had to bypass the Rules Committee several times to get the critical legislation on the floor.