'Has to come to an end': GOP lawmaker accuses Marjorie Taylor Greene of holding Congress hostage

Rep. Marc Molinaro, R-N.Y., accused his fellow Republican lawmaker, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., of holding Congress “hostage” after she called to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.

Greene last month introduced what’s known as a “motion to vacate,” which, if passed, would boot Johnson from the speakership. The effort picked up steam this week after Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., announced he supports it, calling out Johnson shortly after he unveiled a plan to deliver foreign aid to U.S. allies.

U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) speaks to reporters outside of the U.S. Capitol Building after a vote on a funding bill that would avert a government shutdown on March 22, 2024 in Washington, DC.

But Greene’s push drew condemnation from many Republican lawmakers, especially after the House was frozen for weeks after former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., was ousted last year.

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Molinaro was asked during an interview with CNN on Wednesday about the consequences of Republican infighting, particularly for GOP lawmakers facing tough reelection battles.

“I want to be judged by my ability and willingness to work across the aisle with anyone who’s honest and earnest about solving the problems that face America and the people I serve,” he said.

Asked if he believes Greene is “honest and earnest,” Molinaro told CNN that “her theater, and this constant effort to hold Congress hostage, has to come to an end.”

“I’m going to have no part in it, and a good number of my colleagues, conservative and moderate, believe that enough is enough. It is time to move on and to move past this kind of nonsense,” Molinaro said, not directly referencing the effort to remove Johnson.

When asked for comment about Molinaro’s remarks, Greene spokesperson Nick Dyer said in an email to USA TODAY “Who is that?”

The Georgia lawmaker’s threat to remove Johnson is currently stalled in the halls of Congress. But even if there is a vote to oust the Louisiana lawmaker, Democrats have signaled they may be willing to step in and save his job, a lifeline they didn’t extend for McCarthy.

However, Johnson on Wednesday incited conservative fury in the House, announcing that he was sticking by his original plan to provide foreign aid to U.S. allies. The House is expected to take up three national security-focused bills that include funding for Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific on Saturday.

The move comes as a growing number of right-wing Republicans have balked at providing additional Ukraine aid, arguing Americans have contributed enough. If rage against Johnson spreads among House Republicans, his job could be in further danger.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ‘Has to come to an end’: GOP lawmaker accuses Marjorie Taylor Greene of holding Congress hostage