Greene lists 4 demands amid ongoing speakership ouster threat



Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia filed a motion to vacate in March and announced last week that she planned to pull the trigger this week on the bid to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) from the speakership slot. But while Greene has not yet pulled the trigger, she did meet with Johnson on Monday and again on Tuesday this week. And she has a list of four demands for the speaker.

The congresswoman wants Johnson to "obey the Hastert rule, which means no bills are brought to the floor unless the majority of the majority, which is the majority of Republicans, support it," she explained to Steve Bannon on his "War Room" program. She is also calling for there to be "no more funding for Ukraine," and she is pressing for the defunding of the special counsel targeting former President Donald Trump.

Greene also wants the House to pass the 12 individual appropriations bills, but if that does not happen by the deadline, she has suggested the passage of a continuing resolution that would involve a 1% spending cut.

A tweet on Greene's @RepMTG X account lists the four demands, including, "Hastert Rule (majority of the majority must support any bill)," "No more funding for Ukraine," "Defund Special Counsels," "Avoid a shutdown before the election by passing a CR to automatically enact a 1% spending cut."

"This is Mike Johnson's decision," another tweet reads. "Will he be a Democrat Speaker or a Republican one? He already delivered Joe Biden and Chuck Schumer’s agenda. If he's capable of doing that, I think he's extremely capable of meeting the suggestions I've asked of him on behalf of the Republican majority. It takes actions, not words. But he can't drag this out."

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Cruz calls Greene's speakership ouster bid 'silly'; Johnson reportedly ​claims to be 'most conservative member' to be speaker



Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas has criticized Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's (R-Ga.) bid to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) from the speakership, describing it as "silly" and "seriously counterproductive" while calling Johnson "a strong conservative."

Cruz said that Greene's ouster effort "increases the chances of chaos" and of giving control over to Democrats. "And there is zero chance a more conservative speaker will result," he asserted during an interview on the "RealClearPolitics" radio show on SiriusXM, noting, "I think what she's doing is really unhelpful to the country."

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) have pledged to vote to table Greene's motion to vacate, saying in a statement earlier this week, "If she invokes the motion, it will not succeed."

Greene, who filed the motion to vacate in March, has noted that she plans to pull the trigger next week.

"I'm calling the motion to vacate Speaker Mike Johnson next week after weeks of warning Mike Johnson to stop giving Democrats everything they want," Greene said in a post on X. "The vote on the motion to table will essentially reveal the Uniparty in full. Vote YES to table the motion to vacate = Uniparty member," she averred. "Vote against tabling the motion to vacate = not Uniparty member."

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Axios reported that Johnson said, "I'm the most conservative member who has ever held the gavel as speaker, but the reality of our numbers is our challenge."

Greene responded in a tweet by posting six rolling on the floor laughing emojis and writing, "Most conservative except when you… fund the invasion of our country," "fund full-term abortion," "fund the trans agenda," "fund endless war," "break the tie for warrantless spying," "criminalize the New Testament," "are endorsed by Democrat leadership," and "spend more than Nancy Pelosi."

GOP Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Paul Gosar of Arizona are both cosponsoring the motion to vacate.

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Threat to Johnson's speakership looms larger as Massie cosponsors Greene's motion to vacate



Last month, Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia targeted House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), filing a motion to vacate the speakership. Now, Greene is getting backup: GOP Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky has announced that he is cosponsoring the motion to vacate.

"I just told Mike Johnson in conference that I'm cosponsoring the Motion to Vacate that was introduced by @RepMTG. He should pre-announce his resignation (as Boehner did), so we can pick a new Speaker without ever being without a GOP Speaker," Massie tweeted on Tuesday. "He said he won't resign. I said to him that he is the only one who can prevent us from going through what happened last fall," Massie wrote in another post.

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Last year, after then-Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California was ousted from the speakership slot, Republicans struggled to select a replacement but eventually tapped Johnson for the role. McCarthy later chose to leave Congress.

On Monday, Johnson announced that the House will be voting on measures related to Ukraine aid, Israel aid, and more.

"Speaker Johnson is not holding Democrats accountable nor leading our Republican majority, he's actually giving in to Democrats every demand. And he's using dirty swamp tactics to push through the America Last agenda," Greene declared in a post on X.

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"Speaker Johnson must announce a resignation date and allow Republicans to elect a new Speaker to put America First and pass a Republican agenda. Thank you to @RepThomasMassie for cosponsoring my Motion to Vacate. It’s time for a new Speaker," Greene said in another tweet.

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AOC responds to the news that Byron Donalds is running for House speaker



Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York has responded to the news that Republican Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida is mounting a bid to become House speaker.

"Donalds has only served 1 full term in the House. His most recent work involved submitting falsified evidence in an impeachment investigation. These people are not serious," tweeted Ocasio-Cortez, who is currently serving her third term in office.

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Donalds and a number of other Republicans have thrown their hats into the ring since Rep. Jim Jordan's speakership bid collapsed. Donalds had voted for Jordan, an Ohio Republican, during all three rounds of balloting this week. But in each round, Jordan was unable to earn sufficient support to secure the speakership.

"TONIGHT, I AM ANNOUNCING MY CANDIDACY FOR SPEAKER OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. MY SOLE FOCUS WILL BE SECURING OUR BORDER, FUNDING OUR GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBLY, ADVANCING A CONSERVATIVE VISION FOR THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, AND EXPANDING OUR REPUBLICAN MAJORITY," Donalds said in a statement.

"UNDER MY LEADERSHIP, THE HOUSE WILL LEAD THE CHARGE TO ADVANCE A SIMPLE OBJECTIVE: PUT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FIRST, KEEP THEM SAFE, AND MAKE THEIR LIVES EASIER," he noted. "I LOOK FORWARD TO SECURING THE VOTES OF A MAJORITY OF MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES TO BECOME THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN SPEAKER, THE FIRST SPEAKER FROM THE GREAT STATE OF FLORIDA, AND THE NEXT SPEAKER OF THE 118TH CONGRESS."

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Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida, who did not back Jordan during the three votes this week, has thrown his support behind Donalds. "@ByronDonalds is an honorable leader and respected by the entire conference. That is why it is a privilege to endorse Byron for speaker," he tweeted.

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Jim Jordan speakership bid collapses, other lawmakers jump into the race



Rep. Jim Jordan's (R-Ohio) speakership bid collapsed on Friday as he failed to clinch the win in the third round of balloting this week and then reportedly came up short in a secret Republican ballot regarding whether he should remain the House GOP's speaker nominee.

Jordan, who earned 200 votes in the initial round of voting this week, slipped to 199 on the second round, and then fell to just 194 votes in Friday's House vote. Democrats have been voting for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.).

The list of Republicans who voted against Jordan on Friday included:

  • Don Bacon of Nebraska
  • Vern Buchanan of Florida
  • Ken Buck of Colorado
  • Lori Chavez-DeRemer of Oregon
  • Anthony D'Esposito of New York
  • Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida
  • Jake Ellzey of Texas
  • Drew Ferguson of Georgia
  • Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania
  • Andrew Garbarino of New York
  • Carlos Gimenez of Florida
  • Tony Gonzales of Texas
  • Kay Granger of Texas
  • John James of Michigan
  • Tom Kean Jr. of New Jersey
  • Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania
  • Jen Kiggans of Virginia
  • Nick LaLota of New York
  • Mike Lawler of New York
  • Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Iowa
  • Marc Molinaro of New York
  • John Rutherford of Florida
  • Mike Simpson of Idaho
  • Pete Stauber of Minnesota
  • Steve Womack of Arkansas
Fitzpatrick, Kean, and Molinaro had backed Jordan on the first two rounds of balloting, but voted against him in the third round.

The eight House Republicans who voted with Democrats in favor of ousting Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) from the speakership earlier this month signed onto a letter saying that they would be willing to accept punishment in exchange for House Republicans rallying to elect Jordan as speaker.

The letter states, "If the holdouts who refuse to vote for Speaker-Designate Jordan would be willing to 'vote with the team' and elect him the 56th House Speaker, we are prepared to accept censure, suspension, or removal from the Conference to accomplish this objective."

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But reports indicate that the House GOP held a secret ballot regarding whether Jordan should remain the GOP's speaker nominee, voting 112-86 against Jordan.

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GOP Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky tweeted, "Jim Jordan gave it his all. He was the best Speaker candidate to reform Congress's spending addiction that's been bankrupting our country. But sadly today the GOP conference met privately and ended his candidacy by a vote of 112 to 86. I would have voted 1000 rounds for Jim."

Republican Reps. Jack Bergman of Michigan, Kevin Hern of Oklahoma, and Austin Scott of Georgia, and Pete Sessions of Texas have announced speakership bids.

GOP Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida is running for the role, The Hill reported, citing a spokesperson.

Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) told members of the House Republican conference that he will pursue the speakership nomination, Jake Sherman of Punchbowl news reported.

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Jim Jordan plans to press forward in speakership bid despite back-to-back losses



After failing to secure the House speakership in two votes so far, GOP Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio plans to forge ahead in his bid to win the gavel.

In what was likely a reference to the idea of ending the legislative chamber's paralysis by temporarily empowering Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.), Jordan said that in a bid to "lower the temperature and get back to work" a pitch was made to members on a resolution, but it was decided that they would not go in that direction. He said that he is still running for the speakership and intends to win the contest, and wanted to speak to the lawmakers who had voted against him.

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But Jordan faces an uphill battle. In the first round he earned 200 votes, before slipping to 199 during the second round of balloting when 22 Republicans voted for someone other than him.

The House has been paralyzed since Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California was ousted from the speakership earlier this month. McCarthy had won the job after 15 rounds of balloting in January.

GOP Rep. Jack Bergman's communications director James Hogge has noted that the lawmaker would be willing to serve as speaker if Jordan cannot secure the support necessary to win the gavel. Bergman voted for Jordan in the two votes held so far.

Earlier this month, former President Donald Trump indicated that he would be willing to temporarily serve as speaker if Republicans fail to pick someone to fill the slot. "I will do it if necessary, should they not be able to make their decision," Trump noted, according to Fox News Digital. Trump has endorsed Jordan for speaker.

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Rep. Jack Bergman 'prepared to step up' to serve as House speaker if Jordan can't get the votes, comms director says



As the House of Representatives remains in a state of limbo without a speaker while Rep. Jim Jordan's (R-Ohio) bid flounders, Rep. Jack Bergman (R) of Michigan is ready to step up to the plate if Jordan cannot cobble together enough support to win the gavel, Bergman's communications director, James Hogge, noted.

"General Bergman proudly supported Rep. Jim Jordan fully. Following the second round of voting, the General was approached by colleagues and has had conversations about as possible Speaker run — it's becoming clear Rep. Jordan's path is narrowing by the hour," Hogge wrote, according to a screenshot posted by Punchbowl News cofounder John Bresnahan.

"We cannot go another day without a Speaker. He simply doesn't have the votes — we need to have a frank discussion as a conference about a path forward. If as a conference we see he can't get the necessary votes to become Speaker, General Bergman is prepared to step up," Hogge continued. "The General isn't seeking to climb the ladder, only steady it in a time of chaos — and would only seek to be Speaker for the remainder of the 118th Congress."

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In two votes so far, Jordan has failed to earn enough support to clinch the speakership. In a vote on Tuesday, he received 200 votes, but he lost ground on Wednesday when just 199 supported him. Bergman voted for Jordan in both rounds of balloting.

Back in January, it took Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) 15 rounds before he finally won the speakership. But McCarthy was ousted from the role earlier this month.

Former U.S. Rep. Allen West, a Republican who represented a district in Florida from early 2011 until early 2013, is backing Bergman for speaker, saying that the congressman has his "unconditional support and endorsement."

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‘Swamp 22’: Social Media Roasts GOP Rep For Second Vote Against Jim Jordan

'You are a dumbass'

List: 20 Republicans vote against Jim Jordan for House speaker on first round of balloting



GOP Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio failed to win the speakership during a House vote on Tuesday as 20 Republicans opposed his bid, preventing him from reaching the threshold necessary to secure the role.

The outcome means that House members will need to vote again, and there could potentially be many rounds of voting yet to come. Jordan has reportedly indicated that the second round of voting will take place on Wednesday.

Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who won the speakership earlier this year after a whopping 15 rounds of voting, was ousted earlier this month when eight Republicans voted with Democrats to evict him from the post. The House has been paralyzed ever since the McCarthy ouster.

According to reports, the 20 GOP legislators who voted for someone other than Jordan during the first round of voting included:

  • Don Bacon of Nebraska
  • Lori Chavez-DeRemer of Oregon
  • Anthony D'Esposito of New York
  • Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida
  • Jake Ellzey of Texas
  • Andrew Garbarino of New York
  • Carlos Gimenez of Florida
  • Tony Gonzales of Texas
  • Kay Granger of Texas
  • Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania
  • Jen Kiggans of Virginia
  • Nick LaLota of New York
  • Mike Lawler of New York
  • John Rutherford of Florida
  • Mike Simpson of Idaho
  • Steve Womack of Arkansas
  • Ken Buck of Colorado
  • John James of Michigan
  • Doug LaMalfa of California
  • Victoria Spartz of Indiana

Diaz-Balart, who was one of the Republicans who did not vote for Jordan during the first round of balloting, has openly called for a second round of voting on Tuesday. "I respectfully request the House of Representatives return immediately and begin a second vote on electing a new Speaker," Diaz-Balart wrote to Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.).

Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota has claimed that a Jordan speakership "would certainly bring more chaos in the house and electoral harm."

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Here Are The 20 Republicans Who Voted Against Jim Jordan For Speaker In First Ballot Vote

THE NAMES