The ongoing conflict between Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is reaching its boiling point this week as the Georgia Republican seeks to initiate a vote on removing the GOP leader. However, it is highly unlikely that this attempt will succeed.
Greene, who filed a motion to vacate against Johnson in March, is determined to bring her removal resolution to a vote this week. This has been a long-awaited move for the GOP troublemaker, who has been threatening to use this mechanism against the Speaker and has been consistently criticizing his legislative choices.
Despite the potential for her gambit to fail, it seems that a significant number of conservative Republicans are already expressing their intention to oppose her effort. In fact, only two conservative Republicans have shown support for her initiative, while the top three House Democrats have announced their plans to vote in favor of tabling Greene’s ouster effort. Nevertheless, the determined Georgia Republican remains resolute in her determination to push forward.
On Friday, she expressed her strong opinion on the matter, stating that it is imperative for Mike Johnson to step down or be forcibly ousted from his position.
This week, the Senate is ready to proceed with the discussion of a bill that aims to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration. However, there is a possibility that a short-term extension may be required due to the tight schedule and the need to meet the deadline on Friday.
President Biden is set to join Johnson and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) at the Capitol to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust. Additionally, the House will deliberate on a bill that aims to include a citizenship question in the bicentennial census.
Greene vows movement on Johnson ouster gambit
Greene remains determined to continue her campaign to remove Johnson this week. Unfortunately, her efforts have not gained support among GOP members, former President Trump, or even some Democrats. As a result, it is highly likely that her push will fail in a humiliating manner on the House floor.
Conservatives have expressed doubt about Greene’s strategy for weeks, and Democratic leaders have already stated their intention to vote against the Georgia Republican’s removal measure if it comes up for a vote. These facts have been evident for several days.
Despite facing opposition and skepticism, Greene and her two co-sponsors, Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), are determined to proceed with their initiative. They aim to compel Republicans to take a stance on their support or lack thereof for Johnson.
“This week, we will be voting on whether Mike Johnson should continue serving as Speaker,” Massie stated confidently in a recent post on X. He went on to say, “If you are satisfied with the progress he has made so far this year and are eager to see what he will accomplish in the months to come, I urge you to join Democrat leader Hakeem Jeffries in supporting Mike Johnson. Let’s show our unity and commitment to a brighter future! #uniparty.”
Last week, Greene and Massie made the announcement that they plan to push for a vote on their resolution this week. However, it is still uncertain on which day they will take action. The House is set to reconvene on Monday.
Once the Republicans take action to push for a vote on their resolution, the House GOP leadership must respond within two legislative days. It is anticipated that the leadership will proceed with a vote on a motion to table the measure, a move that is likely to succeed with the backing of both Democrats and Republicans.
Johnson, on the other hand, dismisses the impending danger to his position, describing it as an unwise decision for both the GOP and the nation as a whole.
During an interview on SiriusXM’s “The Laura Coates Show” on Friday, he expressed his thoughts on the motion to vacate, stating that he doesn’t dwell on it too much. He believes that this action is not only detrimental to the Republican Party, but also to the institution and the country as a whole. Given the seriousness of the times we are living in, he emphasizes the importance of a functioning Congress for the sake of the American people.
Conservatives have intensified their criticism of Greene as she prepares to make her imminent move.
In an interview on NewsNation’s “The Hill Sunday,” Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.), the chair of the House Freedom Caucus, shared his perspective on a fellow colleague, stating that she essentially works independently with minimal support from a couple of others who share her vision. According to Good, she does not hold any significant leadership role within the caucus.
The threat of ousting Representative Greene arises as the November elections draw near, with less than six months remaining. Various Republicans have called for unity among GOP lawmakers in the run-up to these crucial contests. This message has been reiterated by the head of the Republican National Committee (RNC), as Greene continues to push for her ouster.
“We must secure a majority in the Senate and strengthen our position in the House. Unity is crucial for achieving these goals,” emphasized Michael Whatley, Chair of the RNC, in an interview with NBC News. “It is essential that all Republicans comprehend the significance of this election cycle, and they do. We must work together and stay aligned as we progress.”
Senate stares down FAA reauthorization deadline
The Senate is currently in the process of considering a bill that aims to reauthorize the FAA for a period of five years. However, there is a possibility that a short-term extension may be required as Congress approaches the looming deadline on Friday.
Senate GOP Whip John Thune (S.D.) informed reporters last week that there may be a need for a temporary extension in order to prevent any interruption in authority and smoothly conclude the process for the complete reauthorization bill. Thune mentioned the significant number of amendments that senators have requested votes on, along with the limited timeframe for voting. With the Senate set to reconvene on Tuesday, there are only four days remaining until the Friday deadline.
Thune expressed uncertainty about the possibility of a short-term extension, stating, “We’ll see. May 10 is just around the corner… My assumption is that if we want to avoid a lapse in authority, a short-term extension might be necessary.”
The duration of the extension was not mentioned by him.
According to Sen. Ted Cruz (Texas), who is the leading Republican on the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, he expressed confidence last week that the bill can be successfully passed by the Senate within a reasonable timeframe.
“I believe there won’t be a need for that,” he expressed confidently when asked about the possibility of a short-term extension. “I am confident that we will be able to complete it next week.”
The FAA bill successfully passed its first procedural step in the Senate last week with a resounding 89-10 vote. However, senators are now attempting to include unrelated priorities in the legislation, causing a delay in the consideration process. This is due to the fact that this bill is the final must-pass measure Congress needs to address before the fall.
An amendment that is expected to be voted on is one that aims to remove the provision in the legislation that allows for the addition of five slots, or 10 flights, at Reagan Washington National Airport.
Senators from Virginia and Maryland have advocated for the amendment, asserting that National Airport already experiences significant traffic. On the other hand, lawmakers from states farther away from Washington, D.C., have supported the additional flights, stating that it would enhance convenience for travelers.
Biden, House leaders to appear for Holocaust remembrance event
President Biden has a scheduled visit to Capitol Hill this week to attend a Holocaust remembrance event. During the event, he will be joined by Holocaust survivors, Johnson, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.).
The Holocaust Memorial Museum’s annual Days of Remembrance ceremony is set to take place on Tuesday at 11 a.m. During the event, both Biden and Johnson are expected to deliver speeches.
The U.S. observes Days of Remembrance every year to pay tribute to the 6 million Jewish individuals, including men, women, and children, who tragically lost their lives during the Holocaust. This significant event held at the Capitol is a solemn occasion that not only honors the brave American soldiers who fought against Nazism but also acknowledges the U.S. Army divisions responsible for liberating concentration camps. Johnson’s office issued an advisory providing these details.
Amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in the Middle East, college campuses across the country are witnessing a surge in pro-Palestinian protests. These demonstrations have faced criticism from some lawmakers who claim that they have taken an antisemitic turn.
According to the Anti-Defamation League, over 2,000 incidents of antisemitism were reported in the United States since October 7. This marked a significant increase of 337 percent compared to the previous year. The surge in reported incidents coincided with the launch of Hamas’ attack on Israel.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced last week that President Biden will address the imperative need to combat the escalating issue of antisemitism. She emphasized that the Biden-Harris administration is committed to implementing the groundbreaking National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, aiming to fulfill the solemn pledge of “never, never again.”
House to consider bill on census citizenship question
The House is expected to vote on a bill this week that proposes the inclusion of a citizenship question in the decennial census.
The proposed legislation, known as the Equal Representation Act, aims to address the issue of congressional seat allocation. It suggests adding a citizenship status question to the decennial survey conducted by the Census Bureau. The Act would require the United States to consider only citizens when determining the number of congressional seats each state receives.
The 2020 census did not include the citizenship question, which was initially advocated for by the Trump administration. However, their efforts to add this question to the survey were abandoned in July 2019 after the Supreme Court intervened and prevented its inclusion.
In April, the legislation was advanced by the House Oversight and Accountability Committee in a party-line vote of 22-20.
“The Equal Representation Act aims to ensure that the federal government provides fair and equal representation exclusively to American citizens,” stated Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.), the bill’s sponsor, when he introduced it in January.”
