Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) has been removed from the House Rules Committee after being the lone vote against Speaker Mike Johnson's (R-La.) reelection. Why it matters: Massie's departure from the influential panel could make it easier for Johnson to get legislation to the House floor.

"I'd say there's a 70% chance Mike Johnson is going to be speaker ... because that's just the way the swamp works," Congressman Thomas Massie said.

Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie was removed from the House Rules Committee after he opposed the re-election of House Speaker Mike Johnson.

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.