GOP rep on effort to oust Speaker Johnson: 'I don’t know who would want the job at this point'
Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.) on Wednesday lambasted any Republican looking to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), arguing the Louisiana Republican is doing the job "very admirably" given the circumstances.
"I'm standing with the Speaker because I actually consider him a friend, and I think he is trying to do the toughest job in politics. And I think given all the circumstances, he's doing it very admirably," Armstrong said during an interview with MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell.
"My recommendation to any of my colleagues that are thinking about doing this — go back to October where we have 13 weeks where we go through all of this," he continued. "Now, we're walking into an election cycle. We have tremendous things that we can campaign on across our districts and by throwing ourselves into chaos without having any kind of real succession plan ... I mean just to be honest, I don't know how would want the job if this succeeds at this point."
Johnson is facing the threat of being ousted from his role in the wake of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's (R-Ga.) motion to vacate the Speakership. Rep. Thomas Massie (Ky.) emerged on Tuesday as the first Republican to publicly back the motion, citing Johnson's plan to put Ukraine aid on the floor, along with his handling of government funding and the reauthorization of the U.S.'s warrantless surveillance authority.
Armstrong joins a series of lawmakers who have warned against moving forward with the motion to vacate. It comes just months after former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was booted from the top role in the chamber over his handling of government funding and other policy disagreements.
"I do not support removing Mike as Speaker," Armstrong said. "Again, I had the opportunity to come into Congress and serve with Mike. I think he has an incredibly tough job, and he's doing it well."
Infighting within the GOP conference caused the House to go without a permanent Speaker for nearly three weeks.
Johnson said he will not resign, calling the ouster effort "absurd" and "not helpful."
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House Democratic leaders say they would help save Speaker Mike Johnson's job
WASHINGTON — House Democratic leadership said in a joint statement Tuesday that they would vote to help save Speaker Mike Johnson if far-right Rep.NBC News - Politics -
House Democratic leaders said they would block any effort to oust Speaker Johnson, moving to protect the Republican from retaliation by his hard-right flank after the passage of a foreign-aid package that included funding for Ukraine.
House Democratic leaders said they would block any effort to oust Speaker Johnson, moving to protect the Republican from retaliation by his hard-right flank after the passage of a foreign-aid package that included funding for Ukraine.The Wall Street Journal - World -
GOP Rep. Armstrong supports Speaker Johnson despite policy disagreements because ‘I’m a grown-up’
Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.) explains why he supports Speaker Johnson despite opposing the Ukraine aid bill. He joins Meet the Press NOW to discuss the division within the House Republican conference.NBC News - Politics -
House Democrats Say They Would Rescue Speaker Mike Johnson
GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene filed motion in March to try to remove him from office.The Wall Street Journal - World -
White House doesn’t want to touch House speaker drama
Even though Johnson helped move his foreign policy aid package, the president isn’t going to intervene on a conservative effort to oust him.Politico - Politics - House -
White House doesn’t want to touch House speaker drama
Even though Johnson helped move his foreign policy aid package, the president isn’t going to intervene on a conservative effort to oust him.Politico - Politics - House -
White House doesn’t want to touch House speaker drama
Even though Johnson helped move his foreign policy aid package, the president isn’t going to intervene on a conservative effort to oust him.Politico - Politics - House -
George Santos drops independent House bid
Santos, who faces numerous criminal charges, wants to remain in the public spotlight.Politico - Politics -
New Jersey Rep. Donald Payne Jr. dies
Rep. Donald Payne Jr. was well-liked by his colleagues and served as chair and ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.Politico - Politics -
New Jersey Rep. Donald Payne Jr. dies
Rep. Donald Payne Jr. was well-liked by his colleagues and served as chair and ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.Politico - Politics
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