In a recent development, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) failed to reach an agreement on Wednesday, leaving Johnson’s position as Speaker at risk.
What Happened: This meeting was the first interaction between the two Republicans since Greene’s motion to vacate the Speakership last month. The motion came after Johnson’s role in passing a spending package to prevent a partial government shutdown, reported The Hill.
“We didn't walk out with a deal. I explained to him that, and he acknowledged, that as a Republican member of the House, I pretty much have the best view of how the base feels and what Republican voters want,” said Greene, according to the report.
Greene has been escalating pressure on Johnson over his management of government funding, his commitment to bring Ukraine aid to the floor, and the reauthorization of the U.S.’s warrantless surveillance powers, as outlined in Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
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Post-meeting, a rule for legislation to renew Section 702 was rejected after 19 Republicans sided with Democrats in voting against it. This leaves the chamber without a clear path to address the spy tool before its expiration next week.
Why It Matters: The tension between Greene and Johnson has been escalating for some time. Earlier this month, Greene criticized Johnson’s stance on Ukraine funding, calling him a "damn fool." She has also been vocal about her intention to oust Johnson, a move that has sparked debate among voters.
Furthermore, Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) has expressed his disapproval of Greene’s actions, calling her letter to Johnson “a bunch of hogwash.”
Despite the ongoing disagreements, Greene has not given Johnson a clear ultimatum about what would prompt her to force a vote on her motion to vacate. The timing of her next move remains uncertain.
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