Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.), chair of the House Freedom Caucus, expressed skepticism about the possibility of Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) facing a serious challenge to his leadership position within the Republican conference.
During an interview on NewsNation’s “The Hill” on Tuesday, Good acknowledged that only two members, Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), had openly discussed the idea of ousting Johnson from his role as Speaker.
When pressed on whether Massie’s call for Johnson to resign was justified, Good emphasized his focus on advancing crucial legislation.
Rep. Bob Good (Credits: Fox News)
“Well, I’ve only heard two members speaking to that effect, and you know who the two of those are,” Good said, underscoring his commitment to addressing pressing legislative matters.
Massie recently joined Greene in stating his support for a motion to oust Johnson if such a measure were brought to a vote. Greene had previously introduced a motion for Johnson’s removal, but no immediate vote on the matter has been scheduled. This motion hangs over potential votes on funding for Ukraine.
Johnson has outlined a multifaceted strategy aimed at providing military support to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, along with addressing other national security priorities favored by Republicans. He has pledged separate votes on each component of the plan.
Rep. Bob Good (Credits: BBC)
While Good did not reveal how he would vote on a motion to vacate the Speaker’s position, he described his meeting with Johnson as productive and reaffirmed his dedication to passing legislation. However, Good expressed reservations about certain aspects of Johnson’s aid plan, particularly its omission of provisions related to U.S. border security.
When asked about his threshold for supporting a motion to vacate, Good declined to specify a red line, citing his past approach during former Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s tenure. He emphasized a desire to focus on serving the American people until the next Congress, rather than initiating leadership challenges prematurely.
Regarding the Democrats’ potential role in preserving Johnson’s position, Good suggested that their support might not be sustainable and could create division within the Republican Party. He urged Johnson to prioritize Republican priorities to ensure unity and support within the party.
