Is Another Speakership Fight on the Horizon?

After the minibus cleared the lower chamber, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) filed a “motion to vacate” Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) over his handling of FY 2024 spending. She offered pointed criticism toward the speaker given the fact that more Democrats than Republicans voted for both FY 2024 spending packages, and also complained about the lack of conservative policy riders within the two spending packages. At the moment, Rep. Greene has introduced the resolution as a “warning.” If she calls it up as a “privileged resolution,” House leadership has two legislative days to bring it to the floor. Lawmakers on the other side of the aisle could toss Speaker Johnson a lifeline if they so choose, and some Democrats have already reportedly expressed openness to voting in support of the speaker keeping his job. However, House Democrats will follow the direction of Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), who has so far only said, “I look forward to having a conversation with the House Democratic Caucus about the best way to proceed.”