House Republicans convene to push host of conservative bills as threat to oust Mike Johnson stagnates – live | US Congress

Good morning, US politics blog readers. The House of Representatives is back in business today and its Republican majority is trying to make the most of their time in control of Congress’s lower chamber, with plans to take up a host of bills reflecting conservative priorities on immigration and the environment. Among these is a resolution denouncing Joe Biden for the wave of undocumented people that have crossed the southern border during his presidency, and bills to allow oil production on protected land in Alaska and to remove the classification of gray wolves as an endangered species. While some Democrats may lend support from across the aisle, many of these proposals are simply messaging bills meant to impress GOP voters back home ahead of the November elections, and will likely be rejected by the Democratic-led Senate.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a work day for the House GOP without some infighting. Rightwing congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has proposed ousting speaker Mike Johnson from office, citing, among other things, his support for Ukraine. The warning has lingered for more than a month and only one other Republican has signed on, but Greene continues to insist that Johnson’s “days as Speaker are numbered” – we’ll see if she makes any progress when she returns to Capitol Hill today.

Here’s what else is happening:

• Joe Biden is doing nothing public today, but White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre will tango with reporters at her 1.30pm ET briefing.

• Donald Trump’s trial in New York on charges related to allegedly falsifying business documents has the day off today, but will resume on Tuesday.

• Secretary of state Antony Blinken is visiting Saudi Arabia, where he said “measurable progress” had been made in getting aid into Gaza. Follow our live blog for more.