Topline

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer on Tuesday referenced the possibility of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) being ousted from Congress after GOP leaders denounced her comparisons of coronavirus restrictions to the Holocaust – though he acknowledged her status as a lawmaker is ultimately a decision for Republicans.

Key Facts

In a statement, Hoyer said Greene “should change her rhetoric and behavior” if she “intends to remain a Member of the House.”

Hoyer said Greene has made “verbal threats” against colleague – a reference to an altercation with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) – and “learned nothing” from her removal from committees.

But Hoyer also appeared to acknowledge expulsion, which requires two-thirds of the House to pass, would need the votes of GOP members, calling for them to “ask themselves why they would continue to want to associate” with Greene.

A resolution to censure Greene is currently stagnant at 73 cosponsors despite its sponsor, Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.), making personal appeals to members.

A Hoyer spokesperson declined to comment further on the statement.

Key Background

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy condemned Greene’s “appalling” comments saying mask mandates and vaccine verification measures are on par with the yellow stars Nazis forced Jews to wear in concentration camps. Other top Republicans denounced the comments as well, but Greene signaled defiance, even praising a tweet calling McCarthy a “feckless c**t.”

Crucial Quote

“Actually, what I think is her leadership needs to hold her responsible,” Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.) told Forbes earlier this month when asked about the possibility of a censure resolution, accusing McCarthy of “failing” to discipline his members.

What To Watch For

The resolution faces long odds, as it needs around a third of House Republicans to vote with Democrats to pass it. Still, Gomez has said he plans to try to force a vote one way or another, which will force Republicans on the record about Greene’s recent comments.