Second Republican says they will back effort to oust Johnson from speakership

A second House Republican told Mike Johnson on Tuesday that he will sign on to an attempt to end his speakership, according to two lawmakers in the room — meaning Johnson would almost certainly need Democratic votes to retain his gavel if his rivals move against him.

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) said during a closed-door GOP meeting that he would back Rep. Marjorie Greene's (R-Ga.) effort amid rising frustration among conservatives with the speaker's proposed foreign aid package. Massie is the first Republican to commit to supporting her. It's still unclear when Greene plans to force the ouster vote, though she has vowed to do it eventually.

Massie confirmed his plans in a post on X during the conference meeting. He added that Johnson "should pre-announce his resignation (as Boehner did), so we can pick a new Speaker without ever being without a GOP Speaker."