1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

The ongoing federal shutdown demands immediate action, yet Speaker Mike Johnson refuses to bring the House of Representatives back into session. This dereliction of duty cannot stand. I urge you to initiate a motion to vacate and remove Speaker Johnson from his position. The ability to remove a Speaker through a 'motion to vacate' was a key concession made during the selection of the previous Speaker, Kevin McCarthy. This rule change allows any member of Congress to force a vote on removing the Speaker. It's time to use this tool for its intended purpose: holding leadership accountable. Speaker Johnson's inaction during this critical time is causing unnecessary harm to federal workers, disrupting essential services, and damaging our nation's economy. By refusing to reconvene the House, he is single-handedly preventing any possibility of resolving the shutdown. The Speaker's role is to lead the House in addressing urgent national issues, not to obstruct its functioning. Johnson's refusal to call the House back into session is a clear abdication of this responsibility. His actions are not just a political misstep; they represent a failure to serve the American people during a time of crisis. I implore you to take immediate action. Initiate a motion to vacate and vote to remove Speaker Johnson. This is not about partisan politics; it's about ensuring our government can function effectively, especially during times of national urgency. The American people deserve leadership that is responsive to their needs and willing to work towards solutions, not leadership that exacerbates crises through inaction. Time is of the essence. Each day the shutdown continues, more Americans suffer. By removing Speaker Johnson and installing new leadership willing to bring the House back into session, we can take the first crucial step towards ending this shutdown and restoring the functioning of our federal government.