Speaker Mike Johnson complained Wednesday night of “frivolous character assassination” in the House after Democrats assured him the gavel would remain in his hands.
“I hope this puts an end to the personal politics and frivolous character assassination that characterized the 118th Congress,” Johnson said, according to Politico’s Olivia Beavers.
Chairman Johnson: “I hope this marks an end to the personal politics and frivolous character assassination that characterized the 118th Congress. Sorry.
— Olivia Beavers (@Olivia_Beavers) May 8, 2024
Mr. Johnson was rescued by 163 Democrats who voted to defeat Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s (R-Ga.) motion to remove Mr. Johnson from the speakership, allowing Mr. A vote on whether to expel him from the chairmanship was effectively blocked.
As Breitbart News’ Bradley Jay pointed out, Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana) moved Greene’s motion to pass shortly after she introduced it.
Jeffries and his leadership team had promised to deliver votes to save Johnson, but that promise did not extend beyond the first vote tally. Greene, her partner, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), or other Republicans could force a second vote, but Democrats have not yet said how they will respond. .
The final vote was 359-43, including 10 Republicans who did not vote. 11 brave republicans I voted I object to the successful attempt to file a motion.
- Congressman Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.)
- Congressman Eric Burleson (R-Missouri)
- Congressman Eli Crane (R-Ariz.)
- Congressman Warren Davidson (R-Ohio)
- Congressman Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.)
- Rep. Green
- Rep. Massey
- Congressman Alex Mooney (R-West Virginia)
- Congressman Barry Moore (R-AL)
- Congressman Chip Roy (R-TX)
- Congresswoman Vicki Spartz (R-Indiana)
Massey argued to X that Democrats’ rescue of Johnson created a “new paradigm in Congress.”
It’s a new paradigm in Congress.
Nancy Pelosi and most Republicans voted to keep Unionist Party Chairman Mike Johnson in office. 11 people including me voted not to save him. pic.twitter.com/8HnfDQ7lBe
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) May 8, 2024
He added, “Nancy Pelosi and most Republicans voted to keep Unionist Chairman Mike Johnson in office.”
