Rep. Thomas Massie, one of the most outspoken critics of House Speaker Mike Johnson, is off the powerful House Rules Committee, which plays a critical role in the functioning of the lower chamber of Congress.
Massie (R-Ky.), the lone Republican to vote against Johnson’s (R-La.) speakership bid on Jan. 3, revealed in December that he had offered to step down from the panel in the 119th Congress — and told Punchbowl News Johnson was “thinking” about obliging.
During the last Congress, Massie had been one of three Republicans — along with Freedom Caucus Reps. Ralph Norman (R-SC) and Chip Roy (R-Texas) — who often gave leadership headaches.
All three were put on the Rules Committee as part of a deal made by then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in 2023 during his protracted battle for the gavel.
The Rules Committee determines the parameters for considering each piece of legislation, setting out the restrictions on debate and amendments.
To pass a bill without sending it through the Rules Committee, leadership will usually have to lean on a process known as suspension of the rules, which requires a two-thirds majority.
Massie, Roy and Norman had frequently scuttled efforts to pass rules for legislation they felt wasn’t sufficiently conservative, prompting leadership to use suspension of the rules and require Democratic support to wrangle key legislation.
Massie has been replaced by Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-Va.), a Freedom Caucus member who is seen as less rebellious than her peers in the conservative group.
Johnson also announced Tuesday that Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) will helm the Rules Committee.
Foxx, 81, served as the chair of the Education and Workforce Committee during the last Congress. She replaces retired Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) as leader of the rules panel.
“For two decades, Dr. Foxx has been a stalwart in the House and a leader in multiple policy areas. Her drive and personality have established her as among the most universally respected members of our Republican Conference,” Johnson said about Foxx.
“Dr. Foxx is an example of how Members should serve, and our Conference will benefit greatly with her at the helm of the influential Rules Committee.”
In addition to Foxx, Roy, Norman and Griffith, other GOP members of the House Committee on Rules are Reps. Michelle Fischbach (R-Minn.), Erin Houchin (R-Ind.), Austin Scott (R-Ga.) and Brian Jack (R-Ga.)
The Post reached out to a Massie rep for comment.
