The Georgia Republican doesn't appear to have the backing to enforce her will, but the nuances of governing could in fact lead to the ousting of Mike Johnson, the Louisiana native, who was the GOP's answer to a round of self-induced trauma last fall when it ousted Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
A handful of Speaker candidates came and went before Republicans rallied behind Johnson. Now the conservative Christian has come under attack from far-right party members who say he didn't like his stance on FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act) and funding for Ukraine among other things.
Critics of the motion to vacate, which Green says she will file next week, believe it could lead to a Democratic Speaker while the Republicans still maintain a House majority, be it ever so slim.
Rep. Mark Alford (R-Missouri) said on Washington Watch Wednesday that, as he's stated all along, "it's a mistake" to call for Johnson to be pushed out.
"I think Mike Johnson is a man of God with integrity, doing the best he can under the circumstances of a two-seat majority – and I can't get a straight answer as to who [as a replacement for Johnson] could get the necessary votes to pass meaningful legislation that could advance us forward as the nation," Alford told show host Tony Perkins.
Republicans will have just a one-vote majority after Tim Kennedy is sworn in to represent the Buffalo area in western New York after the February resignation of another Democrat, Brian Higgins.
Only two of her fellow Republicans – Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Paul Gosar of Arizona – have publicly stated they will support Green's motion to vacate.
The Washington Post reports that Johnson is expected to call for a vote to "table" Green's motion when it comes, a move that would effectively kill it. Democrats have pledged to support that move, but their support may not be there if a vote to table fails and a vote to vacate the chair actually reaches the floor.
Is it principle or pride?
"When we do not have an effective leader in the White House, someone has to lead – and we need to let our elected leader, Mike Johnson, actually lead. That means when you have a leader, someone's got to follow," Alford argued.
He questioned whether Johnson's far-right opponents are actually voting on their principles.
"Principles do matter, but I'm challenging everyone in our conference to search their hearts. Are they making decisions based on principle – or is it pride?" he asked.
