Johnson on Greene ouster attempt: ‘I don’t hold grudges’

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) has indicated he wants to end the effort to oust Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.).

“I don’t hold a grudge. We have to work together. Last night, before she left the floor, I said to her, ‘Let’s move on, Marjorie.’ Johnson said Thursday in an interview on “FOX and Friends.”

When asked how Green reacted, Johnson suggested only that the two “have a chance.”

The House of Commons voted Wednesday to block a Green-led effort to oust Johnson from the speakership. The final vote was 359-43-7, with 196 Republicans and 163 Democrats choosing to save Johnson.

Democrats last week hinted at the idea of ​​offering votes to support Mr. Johnson, which could also create problems for Mr. Johnson, who currently holds the Republican Party chair position with Democratic support.

Republicans widely criticized Greene’s motion, calling it an unnecessary distraction that highlights intraparty divisions.

“You all have some serious work ahead of you,” Johnson said. He has two conflicting visions for this country. We’re fighting to save America, protect our founding principles, put Donald Trump back in the White House, and give Republicans a majority in the Senate and House of Representatives so we can solve all of these extreme challenges. I don’t have time for nonsense. we have to get the job done. ”

For weeks, Greene threatened to move forward with a motion to resign against Johnson, including a spending package to avert a government shutdown and foreign aid to Ukraine, which ultimately passed with Democratic support. He pointed to Mr. Johnson’s decision to bring the bill to the floor.

Both Republicans met for several hours earlier this week, during which Greene laid out a list of demands for the speaker.

Asked after the meeting if he thought Greene was a “serious member of Congress,” Johnson said: “I’m going to leave it to others to judge Marjorie. I have to work with all my colleagues here. I’m not angry at anyone.”

Mr Johnson once again thanked his colleagues for helping him defeat what he called a “misguided effort”.

“I have to do my job. I have to do what I know is right,” he said. “Despite the fact that we have the smallest majority in American history, we are here every day advancing conservative policies and principles on the ground as much as we can. 100% of what we want. It can’t be done, and a few of my colleagues are demanding it. It’s just not possible right now.”