Dem
51
GOP
49
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) are now in an open state of warfare. Yesterday, Greene announced that next week, she is going to convert her motion to vacate to a privileged motion, meaning the House will have to vote on it within 2 days. She also refused to say whether she would keep bringing up the motion for additional votes, once it inevitably fails. Meanwhile, Johnson appeared on NewsNation to light into Greene, opining that she's not a "serious lawmaker." He's right about that, of course, but it's not too often a Speaker publicly shreds a member of their own conference.
There is something of a full-court press underway, as Republicans try to get Greene to drop the whole thing. A number of her colleagues have done some arm-twisting, and the leadership of the RNC is pleading with her to back down. Of course, there is one person who would probably be able to get her to back off, and he has yet to get involved, other than saying he thinks Johnson is doing a bang-up job. If Donald Trump does not speak up, it would seem to suggest he's either not as impressed with Johnson as he claims, or that he lacks the fortitude to challenge Greene directly. In any event, the next act of this ridiculous little melodrama will be along shortly. (Z)