Johnson suggests next Congress may alter 'motion to vacate' rules

House Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday indicated that he expects the House will amend provisions to remove the speaker in the next Congress.

The "motion to vacate" is a procedural mechanism by which currently a single member of the House may move to force a vote on removing the speaker. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy agreed to the provision during the January 2023 leadership contest that saw conservative lawmakers press him for concessions. He was ousted in October using that same mechanism.

"The motion to vacate is something that comes up a lot amongst members and discussion and I'm, I expect there will probably be a change to that as well," Johnson said at the House Republican Conference's annual retreat, according to The Hill. "But just so you know, I've never advocated for that, I'm not one who’s making it into this issue, because I don't think it is one for now."

"I just think it's something that a lot of members on both sides of the aisle talk about openly that they have a desire for [a] more normal process on the House floor again. So we'll be looking at that on the House rules package in our respective caucus and conference packages as well as going to the new Congress," he went on.

Johnson assumed his current post after a string of failed attempts by would-be McCarthy successors to assume the job. Republicans currently maintain a narrow majority in the lower chamber, though should they retain control of the House after the 2024 elections and enact reform, it could help to secure Johnson's own position.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.