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Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a conservative hardliner opposed to bipartisan legislation ushered through the House by Republican Speaker Mike Johnson, moved to oust him Wednesday using an arcane motion that will force a vote on his speakership.
Ms. Greene, Georgia Republican, said Mr. Johnson had “relied on majority-Democrat support” to pass critical legislation, including a massive government spending bill and a foreign aid package providing $61 billion to Ukraine.
Ms. Greene called Mr. Johnson’s reasons for supporting bipartisan legislation that left out conservative priorities, “pathetic, weak and unacceptable,” and she said the GOP should have at least secured funding to stop illegal immigration on the southern border.
The House is now likely to vote immediately on whether he can keep the gavel, which will require at least a few Democratic votes. Top Democratic leaders have vowed to bail out Mr. Johnson.
The move by Ms. Greene comes after two days of private meetings with Mr. Johnson. Mr. Greene presented Mr. Johnson with a list of demands on Tuesday and said it was up to the speaker to provide a plan of action that satisfied her.
Her motion to oust Mr. Johnson is expected to be tabled by nearly all Republicans and some Democrats.
Rep. Thomas Massie, Kentucky Republican, will vote along with Ms. Greene to push out Mr. Johnson.
• Susan Ferrechio can be reached at sferrechio@washingtontimes.com.
• Alex Miller can be reached at amiller@washingtontimes.com.
• Kerry Picket can be reached at kpicket@washingtontimes.com.
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