Speaker Mike Johnson successfully passed foreign aid on Saturday after facing fierce opposition from some members of his own party who were angry about the funds being sent to Ukraine. Despite the controversy, Johnson managed to secure bipartisan support for the aid packages for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, with help from Democrats. However, some Republicans, led by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Rep. Thomas Massie, are still considering a motion to oust Johnson from the speakership. While some conservatives are hesitant to support the ouster, others are adamant that Johnson should resign or face a referendum.
The vote on the aid for Ukraine was particularly contentious, with some Republicans expressing outrage at House Democrats waving Ukrainian flags on the floor. The tension in the chamber prompted Rep. Anna Paulina Luna to admonish her colleagues, telling them to put the flags away. After the votes, lawmakers awaited a potential move by Greene or Massie to trigger a vote to oust Johnson, but no such action was taken. Johnson defended his decision to push ahead with the aid packages, despite the threats against his leadership position, emphasizing the importance of doing what he believed was right.
While Johnson’s actions have garnered support from some of his colleagues, he still faces a challenge from members of his own party who are determined to remove him from his position. If Greene moves forward with a motion to vacate, Johnson will need the support of Democrats to retain his speakership. However, even if Democrats rally behind him, GOP rebels could continue to target him multiple times, forcing Democrats to repeatedly defend him. House Democrats have not discussed the motion to vacate, but Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has indicated that they will meet as a party to discuss their next steps.
Some Republicans are skeptical of Democrats’ willingness to support Johnson, given past experiences with former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. With the imminent departure of Rep. Mike Gallagher, Johnson’s margin for error in an ouster vote will be slim, requiring at least some Democratic votes to secure his position. Some Republicans have not yet revealed how they would handle a vote to remove Johnson, indicating that the opposition to his leadership may grow before Greene brings up her resolution. Despite the challenges he faces, Johnson remains determined to continue doing what he believes is the right thing for the country.
