Johnson defeats attempt to end his speakership

Speaker Mike Johnson beat Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s attempt to end his speakership.

The House voted overwhelmingly to table the so-called motion to vacate, with 11 Republicans voting to move forward on the attempt, including Greene. But support from a large swath of Democrats helped Johnson defeat it.

It’s still unclear if Greene or other Johnson critics will force another ouster vote before the end of the year. But Wednesday’s vote marks a victory for Johnson, letting him avoid the same fate as his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy, who was ejected from the speakership in October.

Greene’s threat has hovered over the House for more than six weeks, when the Georgia Republican first introduced her resolution but didn’t immediately trigger a vote. Instead, she held it over Johnson's head as he navigated a controversial spy program and tens of billions of dollars in new Ukraine aid through Congress. He was able to muscle both through with Democratic help, despite fierce opposition from his right flank.

Greene forced her effort to depose Johnson despite the speaker meeting with her on both Monday and Tuesday to hear out her concerns. While Republicans closely watched those sitdowns to see if it could provide an offramp from a floor fight, the Georgia Republican instead made several demands that Johnson did not indicate he would grant, including defunding special counsel Jack Smith and no more Ukraine aid.

When those talks ended without a clear resolution, many GOP lawmakers interpreted Greene's comments that the ball was in Johnson's court as a soft retreat from her effort.

Instead, after leadership moved to cancel Thursday votes and moved to pass a short-term Federal Aviation Administration extension Wednesday afternoon, Republicans began hearing rumors she planned to trigger the ouster vote. Her lengthy speech announcing the move drew boos and heckles from her colleagues.