A Republican congressman has introduced a resolution to strip John Boehner of his post as speaker of the House of Representatives, the first such attempt in over a century.

The request, filed by conservative Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina, is the most direct challenge to the Ohio Republican’s leadership in the lower chamber of the US Congress.

The two-page resolution lists a litany of complaints against Boehner, including efforts to “consolidate power and centralize decision-making, bypassing the majority of the 435 Members of Congress and the people they represent.”

The motion also accuses the speaker of “causing the power of Congress to atrophy” and “using the power of office to punish members who vote according to their conscience.”

Meadows said he filed the motion to spark a debate about how leaders are running the House and that it was not aimed at forcing a vote on Boehner’s ouster.

“It’s really more about trying to have a conversation on making this place work, where everybody’s voice matters, where there’s not a punitive culture,” he said.

The conservative lawmaker was among the group of House Republicans who voted against Boehner’s reelection in January.

Meadows was stripped of his post as chairman of the House Freedom Caucus last month for voting against a leadership-backed procedural measure to bring up trade legislation.

However, he was reinstated a few days later following an outcry from congressional conservatives.

Members loyal to Boehner were quick to downplay Meadows' surprise move, which stirred controversy on the House floor just days before the scheduled summer recess.

"I just think it is a fundraising tool," said Rep. Devin Nunes from California, suggesting Meadows sought to get attention to help with his re-election efforts.

Meadows insisted that the move was not aimed at bringing attention to himself. “I don’t like being in the limelight. It is fearful whenever you do something like this."