Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene criticized House Speaker Mike Johnson for betraying Republican voters by supporting new aid to Ukraine and threatened to call for his ouster if he does not resign. The House approved a $95 billion foreign aid package, including $61 billion for Ukraine, with the support of 210 Democrats and 101 Republicans. Johnson’s narrow majority means he cannot afford to lose any Republicans on a party-line vote, and Greene is one of at least three Republicans who have said they will support ousting him if he does not step down voluntarily.
If Greene and her supporters follow through on their threat to force a vote on removing Johnson as speaker, he may need Democratic support to remain in his position. Johnson maintains that he has not sought help from Democrats but senior Republicans believe they will receive bipartisan support to defeat any motion to vacate the speaker’s chair swiftly. Johnson’s confidence in moving forward despite the backlash from some within his party seems to stem from this belief.
Despite the opposition from some members of his party, Johnson received unexpected support from Democrats on the foreign aid bill, which closely resembles a Senate-passed version. Progressive Democrat Rep. Ro Khanna stated he would vote against a motion to remove Johnson from the speakership, emphasizing that not everything in politics needs to be transactional. Although the fate of Johnson’s speakership remains uncertain, some Democrats have expressed a willingness to save him due to his actions in supporting foreign aid.
Marjorie Taylor Greene claimed she has been responsible throughout the process but hinted that the motion to vacate would still be pursued. She blamed Johnson’s actions for the potential ouster, accusing him of betraying Republican values. Johnson, however, downplayed the possibility of being ousted, stating that he is focused on doing his job and allowing the House to work as it will. In his view, doing the right thing is paramount, regardless of the potential consequences.
The situation remains precarious for Johnson as he faces resistance from some within his party and potential support from Democrats. Greene’s threat to call for his ouster adds to the uncertainty surrounding his speakership, as the issue of foreign aid to Ukraine has sparked division among legislators. Johnson’s next steps will likely determine whether he can maintain his position as speaker or if he will face a challenge that could jeopardize his leadership. The outcome of this political showdown will have implications for the Republican Party and the future direction of the House of Representatives.
