A small but growing number of Republicans say they will vote Tuesday to deny John Boehner a third term as Speaker of the House.
{mosads}But ousting a sitting Speaker is a difficult feat, and a group of a dozen defectors failed two years ago to depose Boehner, the powerful Ohio Republican.
Because the House GOP expanded its majority in the midterm elections, 29 Republicans would need to vote against Boehner to force a second ballot. Even then, it’s improbable that Boehner would relinquish the gavel and step aside without a drawn-out fight.
The Hill is keeping a running list on Republicans who are opposing Boehner. Here is where the count stands. Please send updates/feedback to iswanson@digital-release.thehill.com.
NO VOTES (15)
Rep. Justin Amash (R-Mich.)* — “It’s time for Republicans to change our leadership,” he wrote in a Facebook post. Amash has a history of bucking GOP leadership.
Rep. Dave Brat (R-Va.) — Freshman who knocked off House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) had said he’d support Boehner, but flipped this week.
Rep. Jim Bridenstine (R-Okla.)* — Disapproved of how the $1.1 trillion spending bill was handled last month.
Rep. Curt Clawson (R-Fla.) — “Now is a good time for change,” he tweeted Tuesday.
Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.) — “A fresh start often requires change,” he said.
Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas)* — Outspoken Boehner critic says he’ll run for Speaker. Gohmert is friends with Fox News host Sean Hannity, who has called for Boehner’s ouster.
Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) — Has been saying he won’t vote for Boehner for months.
Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-Kan.) — “Honest. Principled. Conservative. Leadership is what I want,” he tweeted on Tuesday. Initially said he would back Boehner.
Rep. Walter Jones (R-N.C.)* — Maverick lawmaker says he’ll back Rep. Daniel Webster (R-Fla.) for Speaker.
Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) — Hard-line opponent of immigration reform backed Boehner two years ago. Since then, Boehner reportedly called King an “asshole” behind closed doors. Boehner ripped his GOP colleague after King made his controversial “cantaloupe” remarks regarding children brought into the country illegally.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.)*
Rep.-elect Gary Palmer (R-Ala.) — Stated on the campaign trail that he wouldn’t back Boehner for Speaker. However, Palmer later said he regretted that pledge “to a certain extent” because it might threaten his ability to secure preferred committee assignments. Still, Palmer said he told Boehner he would need to keep his word.
Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-Ind.) — Stutzman lost whip race to Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.). Bridenstine says he’s been told Stutzman will oppose Boehner.
Rep. Randy Weber (R-Texas) — Tweeted that Gohmert “is not afraid to take the fight to the president.”
Rep. Ted Yoho (R-Fla.)* — Challenging Boehner for Speaker.
POSSIBLE NO VOTES (6)
Rep.-elect Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.) — Was critical of Boehner on campaign trail.
Rep.-elect Jody Hice (R-Ga.) — Expressed dissent against Boehner when the House GOP Conference held its leadership elections in November.
Rep.-elect Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.) — Freshman said he’d stand up to Boehner.
Rep. Steve Pearce (R-N.M.)* — Pearce voted against Boehner in 2013, but he is undecided this time.
Rep.-elect John Ratcliffe (R-Texas) — Defeated former Rep. Ralph Hall (R-Texas) in primary.
Rep.-elect Mark Walker (R-N.C.) — Walker indicated he wouldn’t support Boehner during his GOP primary, but has hedged since.
DIDN’T BACK BOEHNER IN 2013, BUT WILL NOW (2)
Rep. Raúl Labrador (R-Idaho) — Lost long-shot bid to defeat Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) last year.
Rep. Mick Mulvaney (R-S.C.) — Like Labrador, Mulvaney abstained from voting in 2013.
OTHERS TO WATCH (4)
Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) — Voted for Boehner in 2013, but she voted later than expected in the alphabetical roll call. The Washington Times recently wrote an editorial backing Blackburn for Speaker.
Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.) — Conservative backed Boehner in 2013.
Rep. Scott Garrett (R-N.J.) — Garrett supported Boehner in 2013, but will he this time around?
Rep. Matt Salmon (R-Ariz.) — Conservative said last year he would vote for Boehner, noting he had no competition. But now he does.
*Voted against Boehner for Speaker in January 2013 floor vote.