Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) criticized Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s (R-Ga.) attempt to remove Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) as “silly,” but also praised him as a “strong” conservative.
“I think it is silly,” Cruz said during an appearance on RealClearPolitics’ radio show.
“I think it is seriously counterproductive. I think Mike Johnson is a strong conservative who has been given an almost impossible task. He has a tiny majority in the House, just a two-vote majority,” he continued. “That means any three House members run off to the hills, and then the majority evaporates.”
Cruz said that Greene’s effort, which was initiated in March and is expected to come reach the House floor next week, increases the likelihood of “chaos” in the lower chamber and giving control to members of the Democratic Party.
“And I think Marjorie Taylor Greene, to try to topple the Speaker increases the chances of chaos, it increases the chances of handing control to the Democrats,” Cruz said. “And there is zero chance a more conservative speaker will result, so I think what she’s doing is really unhelpful to the country.”
Greene’s effort was endorsed by Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.). Greene is moving forward, emphasizing the importance of getting lawmakers’ votes on the record to specify where they stand regarding Johnson’s performance as the leader of the lower chamber.
Some hard-line GOP members are similarly disappointed with Johnson’s bipartisan dealmaking but do not intend to pursue a motion to vacate half a year before the 2024 election.
Democrats have said they are willing to swoop in and save support Johnson to maintain stability in the chamber but cautioned that won’t be happening consistently.
