House Democrats Vow to Support Speaker Johnson Amid Greene's Removal Attempt

House Democrats have affirmed their unwavering support for Speaker Mike Johnson amidst efforts by Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene to remove him from his position. Greene's push has met with limited enthusiasm within the House GOP, with many members hesitant to engage in another leadership battle.

House Democrats have pledged to stand firmly behind Speaker Mike Johnson should Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) initiate a vote to remove him from his position. Greene announced her intention to file a motion to vacate the chair, a procedural move that will force a House-wide vote on Johnson's ouster.

However, Greene's efforts have encountered significant resistance within the House GOP. Representative Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) expressed skepticism about the initiative, stating that "the support's not there." He suggested that Greene's actions would only prolong the media attention on the issue.

Despite the support of Representatives Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), Greene's push has largely fallen flat among her fellow Republicans. Notably, the seven remaining House Republicans who voted to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy in October have shown little inclination to support Greene's move.

Burchett emphasized that the circumstances surrounding McCarthy's removal were different, as the rebels were "100% sure that we'd put a Republican in." He highlighted that several Republicans hold districts where Democrats won the White House by a significant margin, increasing the risk of electoral losses in the upcoming midterm elections.

While many rebels have expressed disappointment in Johnson's leadership, they are hesitant to undergo another speaker election process. Representative Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) stated that she "doesn't support the motion to vacate" and is still recovering from the previous one.

Representative Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who spearheaded McCarthy's ouster, expressed hesitation, stating that he would "probably support a motion to table it." He indicated that Greene's announcement would give members time to consider their positions over the weekend.

House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good (R-Va.) has also expressed dissatisfaction with Johnson's leadership but acknowledges the slimmer Republican majority compared to when McCarthy was ousted. He believes that a contest for the speakership in November would be a "wise course."

Representatives Eli Crane (R-Ariz.) and Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) have expressed displeasure with Johnson's leadership but have indicated that his ouster is unlikely at this time. Representative Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) has remained noncommittal about his stance.

Greene expressed surprise at the lukewarm reception she has received, suggesting that those who supported McCarthy's removal should be equally enthusiastic about ousting Johnson.

In a joint statement, Greene and Massie expressed optimism that they would garner additional GOP support next week. Massie predicted that there would be enough votes to show that Johnson cannot be re-elected speaker in January.

The attempt to remove Johnson has heightened tensions within the House GOP, with some members expressing frustration and others urging unity. The outcome of Greene's motion vote will provide insights into the level of support for Johnson and the future direction of the Republican Party.