Speaker Johnson Hints at Plans for 2025 Power Play

(TargetDailyNews.com) – Speaker Mike Johnson suggested that the rules for how the Speaker is selected and maintained in Congress should be modified to prevent hardliners from disrupting popular policy during a speech he gave to donors on Sunday evening, May 5th. He suggested a rule change that would prevent individuals from calling for a motion to vacate.

Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s lukewarm reception by conservatives necessitated compromising and adjusting the rules such that individuals could call for a motion to vacate the Speaker. McCarthy was distrusted by many within his own party and was only able to secure the position after over a dozen rounds of voting and agreeing to the compromise. The rule change was prescient as McCarthy was ousted after repeatedly collaborating with Democrats and breaking promises he made to GOP conservatives.

Establishment and moderate-leaning Republicans tend to align with Democrats when it comes to passing inflated budgets and funding proxy wars overseas in Ukraine and the Middle East. Johnson also recently changed his opinion on a controversial reauthorization for warrantless wiretaps citing “classified briefings” so he didn’t have to explain himself publicly.

Johnson’s willingness to collaborate with Democrats to pass an additional $61 billion in funding for the war in Ukraine was the last straw for Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA). Massie suggested Johnson step down so the Republicans can select a replacement without the hassle of interrupting the legislature.

Greene has been threatening to vacate the Speaker, but thus far the threat has yet to materialize. Her criticism is that the Democrats effectively control the House. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries agrees with her and said this was the case during an interview with “60 Minutes.”

Democrats have already signaled that they will protect Johnson from being removed from power. Greene and Johnson have been attempting to negotiate a resolution that doesn’t throw the House into chaos.