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House Democrats Slam Proposed Rule Change on Speaker Removal
House Democrats are fiercely opposing a proposed change to House rules that would restrict the ability to force a vote on removing the Speaker of the House solely to members of the majority party, currently the Republicans.
Why It Matters
Top Democrats argue the move would undermine bipartisanship, effectively making House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) accountable only to his Republican colleagues, not the entire House.
“This shows they have no intention of working together to find common ground,” said Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), the leading Democrat on the House Rules Committee. “Instead of electing a Speaker of the House, they’ve chosen to elect a Speaker of the Republican Conference—controlled by their most extreme members.”
Other Democrats echoed McGovern’s sentiment, with Rep. Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.) calling the proposal “a very dark day for democracy.”
The Proposed Rule Change
The newly unveiled 36-page rules package for the 119th Congress would significantly alter how a motion to vacate the Speaker’s chair can be introduced:
- In the previous Congress, any single member of the House could bring a motion to vacate.
- Under the new rules, the motion would require nine co-sponsors, all of whom must be members of the majority party.
This change follows an internal Republican deal made in November to secure Johnson’s nomination for Speaker.
Historical Context
For most of U.S. history, any member of the House, regardless of party, could file a motion to vacate. The process was restricted in 2019 under Democratic control, requiring a caucus or conference directive. Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) reinstated the single-member rule in 2023 to secure his own speakership, only to be ousted by it later that year.
Democratic Concerns
Democrats view the proposed rule change as a power grab that could erode minority rights in the House.
“What’s next? Allowing only Republicans to speak on the floor?” Morelle asked, expressing fears of further marginalization.
Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vt.) characterized the move as a sign of Johnson’s weakness: “It’s an indication of how fragile his leadership is.”
Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) warned that the rule change could ultimately harm Republicans. “We didn’t bring the motion to vacate—his own members did. This will erode the minority party’s role and could backfire in the long run,” he said.
What’s Next
The House will vote on the rules package on Jan. 3, contingent on Johnson’s election as Speaker. With a slim 219-215 Republican majority, Johnson faces potential challenges, not only from Democrats but also from within his own party, as some far-right Republicans have expressed opposition to unrelated provisions in the package.
The Bottom Line
Democrats argue that this proposed rule change undermines democratic norms and could deepen partisan divides. While the measure may temporarily shield Johnson from internal dissent, critics warn it sets a dangerous precedent that could weaken the institution’s functionality in the long term.