Republican dodges when asked if ousting Speaker Johnson makes his party look strong

WASHINGTON — Kentucky Republican Congressman Thomas Massie spoke to Raw Story Tuesday, minutes after announcing he would add his name to a Marjorie Taylor Greene motion to oust Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) from power.

Answering questions from reporters on Tuesday, Massie, a member of the far-right wing of the GOP conference, said that the party is angry over Johnson passing the budget bill and foreign surveillance legislation.

According to Massie, Johnson is "cleaning out the barn," presumably meaning he's passing all of the legislation that Republicans have held up this past year. When it comes to the final bill, funding for Ukraine and Israel, Massie said Johnson is "riding that horse until it collapses."

To continue with the horse metaphors — which he said referred to the Kentucky Derby — Massie said the Ukraine bill is the "triple crown" of Johnson legislation.

CNN's Manu Raju asked the lawmaker what Republicans would do if Democrats stepped in to save Johnson. He explained that it won't matter because a united Republican delegation would have the votes to remove Johnson.

Florida Democrat Rep.Jared Moskowitz already indicated he would back keeping Johnson in power over Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's (R-GA) measure to oust the speaker.

"Democrats don’t even let her rename post offices, I’m not gonna let her make a motion to vacate,” Moskowitz told Raju.

And Johnson has vowed not to go easily.

“I am not resigning," he said Tuesday. "And it is in my view an absurd notion that someone would bring a vacate motion when we are simply here trying to do our jobs.”

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At issue for Massie is the Ukraine funding, which he said "most Republicans in America are against."

"We’re so tired of the betrayals in the House," Massie complained, speaking of the legislation passing.

Raw Story asked Massie if he was worried at all about how the Republicans will be perceived by the electorate so close to an election if they oust their speaker.

"But, do you think ousting the speaker is going to make your party look like you can govern the house more?” Raw Story asked.

"Uh," Massed paused. "Our party is upset and people are upset with this speaker."

He then raced away.