Washington, DC – Congressman Paul Gosar of Arizona has joined an effort to remove Speaker Mike Johnson from his position, marking the third member to do so. The move comes amid growing discontent among conservative lawmakers over Johnson’s handling of legislation related to foreign aid to Ukraine and Israel.
Gosar, along with fellow GOP Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie, are co-sponsors of the motion to vacate the speakership. Despite the support for the motion, no steps have been taken to force a floor vote on the resolution. If Greene decides to proceed with the motion, the House would need to consider it within two legislative days, potentially waiting until after the weeklong recess to address it on the floor.
Conservative lawmakers have criticized Johnson for relying on Democrats to advance legislation, particularly regarding foreign aid bills. Representative Chip Roy, a member of the House Rules Committee, accused Johnson of compromising Republicans’ leverage on border security but stopped short of indicating whether he would support ousting the speaker.
Other GOP hardliners, like Rep. Eli Crane, expressed frustration with Johnson, highlighting the broader implications beyond party politics. This sentiment was echoed by Congressman Dan Bishop, who criticized the lack of prioritization of center-right Americans’ concerns within the Republican Conference.
Despite the mounting pressure on Johnson, prominent conservative lawmakers have hesitated to support his removal from the speakership before the November election. House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good and Rep. Ralph Norman both emphasized the need to maintain stability within the leadership until after the election.
Overall, the discontent among conservative lawmakers underscores deep divisions within the Republican Party and raises questions about the future direction of the House leadership. As the debate over Johnson’s speakership continues, the upcoming election will likely play a significant role in determining the party’s path forward.
