Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) faced significant challenges on Wednesday, as he encountered a surprising defeat on a resolution opposing antisemitism and a rare setback on mining regulations. These events occurred shortly after Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Thomas Massie (R-KY) announced their intention to force a vote to expel Johnson, highlighting a lack of strong leadership from him.
The Antisemitism Awareness Act, introduced by Reps. Mike Lawler (R-NY) and Jared Moskowitz (R-FL), aimed to enforce federal anti-discrimination laws using a specific definition of antisemitism proposed by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. Despite the common understanding that antisemitism is wrong, the bill faced opposition and sparked controversy.
The vote on the bill resulted in a significant number of Democrats and Republicans voting against it, with Greene arguing that it could wrongly accuse Christians of antisemitism. This opposition from within Johnson’s own party undermined what would have been a straightforward victory for him.
Following this defeat, Johnson shifted focus to combating antisemitism, signaling a change from previous efforts to impeach President Joe Biden, which had not been successful under his leadership. However, he suffered another blow when Democrats successfully used a procedural vote to send the Mining Regulatory Clarity Act back to committee, effectively halting its progress.
This procedural maneuver, known as a motion to recommit, is a strategic tool used by the minority party to influence legislation. In this case, Democrats used it to amend the bill with language that would restrict mining companies from operating on public lands under certain conditions, leading to its approval by a narrow margin.
The successful motion to recommit marked a significant moment, as it had not been achieved since 2020 and was the first instance under a Republican-majority House since 2004. This outcome showcased the political maneuvering and challenges faced by Johnson’s leadership amidst internal and external opposition.
