CNN's Panel on Antisemitism Was a Total Trainwreck
Reporter Gave a Laughable Reason for Why We Can't Trust Polls Now
I'm Not So Sure Bill Clinton Is the Person to Lead Point on...
CBS News' Margaret Brennan Got Wrecked By Scott Bessent and Marty Makary Over...
Watch Scott Jennings Obliterate a Reporter Over Her 'Both Sides' Nonsense on Political...
The Democrats Are the Party of Antisemitic Terrorism
Trump's New Nickname for Joe Biden Is Spectacular
If Democrats Had the Truth on Their Side They Wouldn’t Have to Lie...
They Tried to Silence a Chinese Dissident in America — It Backfired Badly
Hey You, Get Off My Crowd
Hey You, Get Off of My Crowd
Republicans Could Make History on Gun Rights
Trump Cracks Down on Arizona’s Illegal Immigrant Tuition Scheme
Fetterman Breaks with Democrats on Israel, Border, Trump Policies Amid Party Backlash
So, This Is Why ICE Agents Wear Masks
Tipsheet

Republicans Poised to Change House Speaker Rules and Democrats Are Not Happy About It

AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is leading Republican lawmakers in proposing a rule change that could make it harder to oust him and future Speakers.

Under the proposed measure, the threshold for initiating a motion to vacate would be raised, requiring nine members of the majority party to co-sponsor the motion. Republicans currently dominate the lower chamber.

Advertisement

As it stands currently, only one member needs to bring a no-confidence vote to remove a Speaker after former Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) agreed to a prior rule change.

Nine months later, the deal led to McCarthy's downfall after he relied on the votes of House Democrats to temporarily avert a government shutdown. It was the first time in U.S. history a House speaker was ousted by such a motion.

House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana has faced similar issues as McCarthy and has had to rely on Democratic votes to pass legislation, angering conservatives who have threatened to remove him. Though Republicans in November backed him for another term leading the party, it's unclear whether he'll have the necessary votes on Friday. No serious challenger to Johnson has emerged, however.

"There's no other alternative for Speaker of the House, guys. There's not another name circulated, there's no other candidate proposed, because everyone knows that I'm the only one who can get the votes," Johnson said in recent interview with a Louisiana radio station.

Democratic lawmakers have criticized the proposal, arguing that it prevents bipartisanship and grants too much power to one party. Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) said the measure shows that Republicans “have no intention of working together to find common ground,” according to Axios.

Advertisement

Rep. Joe Morelle (D-NY) said if the measure is passed, it would be “a very dark day for democracy in America.”

He added: “What’s next? Allowing only Republicans to speak on the floor?”

Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) complained that the proposed rule would “start the eroding of the minority party” and cautioned that “in just a couple of years [Johnson’s] members won’t be on committees or be able to file bills in the minority.”

Democrats suggest that the move is aimed at shielding Speaker Johnson from accountability. “Instead of electing a Speaker of the House, they have decided to elect a Speaker of the Republican Conference—held hostage by their most extreme members,” McGovern insisted.

It is obvious why Johnson is trying to pass this measure. He is currently facing continued criticism over his handling of the spending bill debacle in which he worked with Democrats to pass a measure that would avoid a government shutdown. McCarthy was ousted for a similar situation.

Johnson’s future as Speaker is in serious doubt leading up to the vote which is set to take place on Friday. Many Republican lawmakers have lambasted the Speaker for giving in to Democrats and failing to address out-of-control government spending.

However, Johnson is not without supporters. President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly doubled down on his endorsement of the Speaker, which carries tremendous weight among Republicans.

Advertisement

However, Moskowitz’s warning is valid. Using this measure to ensure that only one party could file a motion to vacate can and will be used against them when Democrats eventually regain control of the House. At this point, it might be smarter for Republicans to leave well enough alone and let the proverbial chips fall where they may.

Join the conversation as a VIP Member

Recommended

Trending on Townhall Videos

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement