A moderate House Democrat is circulating a resolution to protect Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) from a potential removal attempt by one of his party’s hardliners, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: Centrist Democrats have floated protecting Johnson to give him room to put bipartisan legislation on the floor.
The resolution, authored by Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), would require Democratic or Republican party leadership to sanction any vote to vacate the speaker’s chair, according to a copy obtained by Axios.
Under the current rules, agreed to by former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in his quest for the gavel last January, any single member can force a vote to remove the speaker.
Gottheimer has sent the proposal to fellow lawmakers, according to a screenshot viewed by Axios.