About freaking time!
John Boehner coup: Rep. Mark Meadows files motion to oust House Speaker
Tea party champion Rep. Mark Meadows filed a motion Tuesday to oust House Speaker John A. Boehner from his leadership post, escalating the feud between a faction of conservative lawmakers and the Republican leadership.
Mr. Meadows, North Carolina Republican, filed a motion to vacate the chair, which could force a no-confidence vote by the full chamber and result in the removal of Mr. Boehner as speaker.
In the resolution, Mr. Meadows says Mr. Boehner, Ohio Republican, has endeavored to consolidate power and centralize decision-making, bypassing the majority of the 435 Members of Congress and the people they represent.
He accused the speaker of limiting debate, pushing legislation to the brink to compel votes in a state of crisis, and moving to punish Members who vote according to their conscience instead of how he wants.
The Meadows resolution says Mr. Boehner has caused the Congress to atrophy, making it subservient to the executive and judicial branches.
Rep. Mark Meadows, North Carolina Republican, filed a motion to vacate the chair, which could force a no-confidence vote by the full chamber and result in the removal of John A. Boehner as House Speaker.
Conservatives long have urged a coup against Mr. Boehner, who they view as too eager to make deals with Democrats and unwilling to go to the mat fighting for conservative principles.
Still, the maneuver attempted by Mr. Meadows is extremely difficult to pull off because it would require majority support of the full chamber including Democrats to succeed.
The motion also was filed as a nonprivilege resolution, sending it to the House Committee on Rules, which could choose to take it up or not, as is the case with all legislation that comes before the committee.
Mr. Boehner did not comment on the attempted coup Tuesday, but he is expected to hold a regularly scheduled press conference Wednesday.
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