House Republicans Propose Rule Change To Strengthen the Speaker’s Position

House Republicans propose rule change to strengthen the Speaker’s position and advance Trump’s agenda.

At a Glance

GOP proposes raising the threshold to remove House Speaker from one to nine members.
Rule change aims to enhance stability and support Speaker Mike Johnson.
House Freedom Caucus and GOP Main Street Caucus collaborate on the proposal.
Change intended to prevent division and advance conservative policies.
GOP conference approval needed to implement the new rule.

GOP Moves to Strengthen Speaker’s Position

House Republicans have proposed a significant rule change that would make it nine times harder to remove the Speaker of the House. The new rule would require the support of nine members to initiate a motion to vacate the Speaker’s position, up from the current threshold of just one member. This strategic move aims to enhance stability within GOP ranks and secure the position of current Speaker Mike Johnson.

The proposal comes as a collaborative effort between the conservative-leaning House Freedom Caucus and the governance-focused GOP Main Street Caucus. It addresses the procedural turbulence experienced during the tenure of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who was ousted in 2023 through the rarely used motion to vacate.

According to a report from CNN, the House Freedom Caucus and governing-focused GOP Main Street Caucus have agreed to allow changes to the motion to vacate, which would raise the threshold to trigger a motion to force a vote to remove the Speaker.https://t.co/2GdtGljWiQ

— 'Nam Vet (@namvet45) November 15, 2024

Preventing Division and Advancing Conservative Agenda

The rule change is seen as a crucial step in consolidating GOP efforts and aligning with Trump’s political agenda. By raising the threshold for removing the Speaker, Republicans hope to prevent internal divisions and focus on advancing conservative policies.

Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) highlighted the agreement’s role in preventing division within the Republican conference. The proposed change is expected to eliminate controversial issues and support a unified approach to governance, potentially strengthening the GOP’s ability to implement its agenda.

Recent Challenges to Speaker’s Position

The motion to vacate, while rarely used, has recently caused significant disruption in House leadership. In 2023, it was employed to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, leading to a period of uncertainty in the chamber. More recently, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene filed a motion to remove current Speaker Mike Johnson, but it failed to gain traction.

These events have underscored the need for a more stable leadership structure within the House, prompting the current proposal to raise the threshold for initiating a motion to vacate.

Looking Ahead: Implications for the Next Congress

Raising the threshold to nine members would address a significant issue for Speaker Johnson in the next Congress. It would provide him with greater job security and the ability to navigate controversial issues without the constant threat of removal hanging over his head.

The proposed rule change still requires approval from the GOP conference. If passed, it is expected to help Republicans “deliver on” their promises and advance key aspects of Trump’s agenda. This move could potentially lead to more cohesive and effective governance from the Republican-led House, allowing them to focus on legislative priorities rather than internal power struggles.