Rep. Paul Gosar has joined the movement to remove Speaker Mike Johnson from his position, making him the third member to do so. Gosar, along with GOP Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie, are co-sponsors of the motion to vacate the speakership.
While no steps have been taken to force a floor vote on the resolution yet, Greene could potentially move to oust Johnson as early as Saturday. If this occurs, the House will have to consider the motion within two legislative days, potentially delaying the decision until after the weeklong recess.
The dissatisfaction with Speaker Johnson stems from his handling of foreign aid bills and his reliance on Democrats to advance legislation, particularly concerning border security. Conservative lawmakers, including Rep. Chip Roy and Rep. Eli Crane, have expressed frustration with the speaker's actions.
Despite the growing discontent, some prominent conservative lawmakers, such as Rep. Dan Bishop and Rep. Bob Good, are hesitant to support removing Johnson from the speakership before the November election. They believe that maintaining stability within the party is crucial at this time.
Speaker Johnson faced intense pressure from far-right lawmakers on Thursday regarding the threshold required to trigger the procedure to oust him. Following this, Johnson confirmed that he would not alter the removal procedure.
Overall, the situation highlights the internal divisions within the GOP and the challenges faced by Speaker Johnson in maintaining party unity amidst differing priorities and viewpoints.
