Sources report that warring factions within the GOP have reached an agreement to increase the threshold for removing a House speaker.

Last year, Kevin McCarthy was removed from his position after he agreed to lower the motion to vacate threshold.

Sources report that warring factions within the GOP have reached an agreement to increase the threshold for removing a House speaker.
Sources report that warring factions within the GOP have reached an agreement to increase the threshold for removing a House speaker.

An agreement has been reached among House Republicans to increase the motion to vacate threshold, according to four sources familiar with the discussion, as reported by Planet Chronicle Digital.

The current House GOP Conference rule allows for a motion to vacate the chair to be called by just one lawmaker, resulting in a chamber-wide vote on removing the speaker.

The deal, negotiated during a meeting hosted by Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and attended by lawmakers from both the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus and the pragmatic Main Street Caucus, would increase the one-person threshold to nine.

Mike Johnson
House Speaker Mike Johnson may get some breathing room with some new rules agreements. (Getty Images)

House GOP rules that would have punished Republicans who vote against the will of the majority were withdrawn by Main Street Caucus members, according to sources.

In January 2022, ex-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., reached a deal with conservatives to secure the gavel, which included a one-person threshold.

In October 2023, Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla.,'s vote led to his ouster by all House Democrats and eight Republicans, ultimately coming back to haunt him.

Since Mike Johnson became Speaker, there has been a threat hanging over his head.

In March, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., led a vote to remove Johnson from his position using the same rule. Despite the support of enough House Democrats, the Republicans were able to indefinitely postpone the vote by voting to "table" it.

Gaetz McCarthy
Rep. Matt Gaetz triggered ex-Speaker Kevin McCarthy's ouster via motion to vacate. (Getty)

Since late last year, moderate and rank-and-file Republicans have been advocating to increase the threshold, asserting that it would only exacerbate the turmoil within the House GOP.

House Republican leadership was not empowered by GOP hardliners, according to their insistence.

A fifth person who spoke with Planet Chronicle Digital stated that the deal was tentative, describing it as a "proposed" deal and emphasizing, "It isn't over until it is."

Proposed changes to House Republican conference rules will be voted on by the GOP on Thursday.

Congressional Leaders Unveil Johnny Cash Statue At US Capitol
Johnson was chosen as speaker after McCarthy was ousted. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Two sources informed Planet Chronicle Digital that the news emerged following Johnson's unanimous re-election as House Republican speaker.

Johnson's critics threatened to delay his victory by forcing a secret ballot vote rather than giving him unanimous consent due to their concerns about his handling of foreign aid and government spending.

After the meeting, they appeared to back off from their threat, which delayed leadership elections by approximately an hour and a half.

Planet Chronicle Digital reached out to Johnson's office for comment.

by Elizabeth Elkind

politics

Biden Ducks Questions After Years of Trump's Unscripted Media Blitz

Biden Ducks Questions After Years of Trump's Unscripted Media Blitz

politics
Republicans in the Senate initiate campaign to prohibit Chinese citizens from acquiring property in the United States.

Republicans in the Senate initiate campaign to prohibit Chinese citizens from acquiring property in the United States.

politics
Johnson records Vance's maiden trip to the Oval Office on camera.

Johnson records Vance's maiden trip to the Oval Office on camera.

politics
Republicans plan to make Trump's executive orders permanent by working together.

Republicans plan to make Trump's executive orders permanent by working together.

politics
Johnson condemns Biden's last-minute pardons as 'shocking' and 'disgusting'.

Johnson condemns Biden's last-minute pardons as 'shocking' and 'disgusting'.

politics
Trump's Justice Department reforms reshape Bureau of Prisons leadership.

Trump's Justice Department reforms reshape Bureau of Prisons leadership.

politics
Biden-era health policies, including efforts to expand ObamaCare, were reversed on Trump's Day One actions.

Biden-era health policies, including efforts to expand ObamaCare, were reversed on Trump's Day One actions.

politics
Trump DHS expands expedited deportation powers as operations intensify.

Trump DHS expands expedited deportation powers as operations intensify.

politics
Biden order allowing transgender troops revoked by Trump in effort to remove DEI from military.

Biden order allowing transgender troops revoked by Trump in effort to remove DEI from military.

politics
President Trump's reversal of Biden-era climate emissions standards is criticized by Newsom using the ongoing LA fires.

President Trump's reversal of Biden-era climate emissions standards is criticized by Newsom using the ongoing LA fires.

politics
Republican leaders remain divided on reconciliation debate following Trump meeting.

Republican leaders remain divided on reconciliation debate following Trump meeting.

politics
The DOGE subcommittee now includes a Democrat who aims for 'good government'.

The DOGE subcommittee now includes a Democrat who aims for 'good government'.

politics
Biden sent Trump a 'very nice' letter with an 'inspirational' message, the new president stated.

Biden sent Trump a 'very nice' letter with an 'inspirational' message, the new president stated.

politics
Bishop excoriated by Trump as 'Radical Left hard line Trump hater' after politically charged prayer service.

Bishop excoriated by Trump as 'Radical Left hard line Trump hater' after politically charged prayer service.

politics
Sen. Thune proposes waiting until the weekend to confirm Trump's picks after Dems postpone votes: "Easy enough"

Sen. Thune proposes waiting until the weekend to confirm Trump's picks after Dems postpone votes: "Easy enough"

politics