House Democrats have announced that they will vote to support Republican Speaker Mike Johnson in a potential bid to remove him from his position. This move is seen as a way to save Johnson’s job and prevent a repeat of the ousting of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Johnson, who has faced criticism from some Republicans for his actions related to aid for Ukraine, will likely be able to retain his position with the support of Democrats. The Democratic leaders emphasized the need to move past divisions and focus on national priorities.
Despite facing internal challenges within the GOP, Johnson managed to pass key legislation, including government funding, surveillance program renewal, and aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. He often relied on votes from Democrats, creating an unusual coalition that has upset hard-right members of the party. Democratic leaders’ decision to support Johnson ensures his survival during a turbulent period of his tenure as Speaker of the House.
Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene had filed a resolution to remove Johnson from office, but Democrats have announced their intention to table this motion. Greene, along with two co-sponsors, had been laying the groundwork for the potential removal of Johnson. However, Johnson distanced himself from Democrats on the issue, stating that he had not sought assistance from them. The focus among House Republicans is now on creating unity within the party ahead of the upcoming elections.
Despite the announcement from Democrats, Greene indicated that she may still move forward with the effort to remove Johnson. She emphasized the importance of recorded votes to hold Congress accountable and questioned Johnson’s allegiance to the Democratic Party. Greene’s decision to potentially pursue Johnson’s removal has raised concerns within the Republican Party, with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise engaging in discussions with her on the matter.
The removal of Kevin McCarthy as Speaker had left the House in disarray for nearly a month, prompting concerns among Republicans about a similar situation occurring before the upcoming elections. Democrats had signaled their willingness to consider supporting Johnson, but stressed the importance of focusing on national priorities. The approach from Democrats will be to table Greene’s motion rather than take an affirmative vote for Johnson, highlighting their commitment to working across party lines.
Some Republican lawmakers viewed the Democratic change in tactics as a sign of regret over their involvement in McCarthy’s removal. They praised Johnson’s leadership qualities and ability to garner support from both sides of the aisle. Democrats, on the other hand, emphasized their role as the voice of reason and stability in the face of political turmoil. Despite the challenges faced by Johnson and the potential threat of being removed from office, the announcement from House Democrats provides him with a lifeline to continue leading the House.
