House Republicans have proposed a new slate of rules for the upcoming Congress, including one that Axios has flagged as a “crucial alteration.” The changes, which are part of an agreement made by the GOP in November, aim to reshape the procedural dynamics in the House as they prepare to renominate Mike Johnson (R-LA) as Speaker.
One of the most significant proposed changes revolves around the process of forcing a vote on ousting the House Speaker. Under the new rules, “A resolution causing a vacancy in the Office of Speaker shall not be privileged except if it is offered by a member of the majority party and has accumulated eight co-sponsors from the majority party at the time it is offered.”
This means that the threshold for introducing a resolution to remove the Speaker would increase from one House Republican being able to do so, to requiring eight additional co-sponsors from the majority party.
This adjustment comes as part of the GOP’s ongoing effort to solidify their position within the House and avoid disruptions to the leadership, particularly as they work to re-elect Mike Johnson to the Speaker’s chair. The rule change would make it more difficult for individual members of the majority party to challenge the Speaker, ensuring that any attempt to remove him would need broader support within the GOP.
In addition to the Speaker-related change, Axios reported that the proposed rules also involve scrapping the Congressional Diversity & Inclusion Office. This move signals a shift in focus for the incoming Congress.
Another change would revert the name of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability back to its previous title, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, signaling a shift in priorities as the Republicans look to reshape key committees.
These proposed changes come amid the GOP’s efforts to consolidate power and streamline their legislative agenda for the next Congress, with a clear focus on tightening control over House leadership and procedural matters.