Momentum is rapidly building behind the effort to remove Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) from power if he proceeds with altering the motion to vacate rule as part of a package of foreign aid set to pass through the House this weekend. Reports suggest that Johnson is considering raising the threshold for forcing a vote on a motion to vacate, a move that would reverse a previous agreement made by former GOP leader Kevin McCarthy (Calif.).

Johnson denied on Thursday that he is contemplating such a modification. However, during an interview with CNN on Wednesday, he acknowledged that the ousting mechanism had been abused in recent times and hinted at the possibility of changing it. Despite Johnson's denial, conservative lawmakers remain unsatisfied and held a lengthy and tension-filled discussion with the Speaker on Thursday.

Some conservatives present at the meeting expressed readiness to support a motion to vacate if Johnson endorses the rule change that would make it more difficult to initiate the process. Representative Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) emphasized that this issue was a "red line" for her. Meanwhile, Representative Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who led the effort to remove McCarthy from the Speakership in October, hinted that the proposed rule change could be the final straw for him.

The mounting discussion around Johnson's potential removal coincides with Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) leveraging her own motion to vacate against the Speaker. Greene has not announced when she plans to trigger a vote on her resolution but has been a vocal critic of Johnson's performance. She has particularly opposed his willingness to negotiate with Democrats on issues such as federal spending, government surveillance, and foreign aid.

In an attempt to appease conservative critics, Johnson has divided the Senate-passed foreign aid package into three separate bills providing aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Indo-Pacific allies, including Taiwan. Additionally, he has proposed two additional bills, one focusing on various Republican-favored foreign aid proposals and the other aimed at strengthening security at the southern U.S. border. All five bills are expected to be brought to the House floor on Saturday.

Despite receiving President Biden's backing, the effort to spite conservatives through this approach has failed to sway their opinion. Greene expressed her concerns that Johnson was prioritizing Ukraine over America and accused him of betraying the country's interests for the sake of maintaining his Speakership.

According to Punchbowl News, top House GOP leaders and aides are reportedly making changes to the motion to vacate rule within the foreign aid legislation. However, Representative Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) has stated that he has not been made aware of any such alteration. Massie, who sits on the Rules Committee and supports Greene's motion to vacate, said that he and the committee chair, Representative Michael Burgess (R-Texas), have not seen any language suggesting a rule change.

Greene hinted that if Johnson were to attach a rule change to the motion to vacate using Democratic votes on the Rules Committee, it would confirm her accusations that he is a Democrat Speaker. The House Rules Committee is currently debating the rule that will govern Johnson's foreign aid approach, and it remains uncertain if the controversial threshold change to the motion to vacate is among its contents.

The current discussion around amending the motion-to-vacate rule evokes memories of McCarthy's bid for the Speakership in January 2023 when conservatives insisted he lower the threshold to a single member - a demand McCarthy ultimately accepted, leading to his downfall months later.

Conservative lawmakers confronted Johnson on the House floor and requested clarification regarding his stance on the threshold change. However, Representative Gaetz noted that they did not receive a definitive answer as Johnson seemed to be evasive. The discussion also touched on Israel and Ukraine aid, with conservatives attempting to communicate their conservative viewpoint to the Speaker.

The tense meeting escalated further when Representative Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.), a leadership ally, joined the conversation. Gaetz explained that Van Orden repeatedly demanded a call for the motion to vacate, a position that differed from the initial purpose of the discussion.