House Democrats announced Tuesday that they will vote to support Republican Speaker Mike Johnson should some of his fellow GOP lawmakers attempt to remove him from his position. This move likely ensures that Johnson will avoid the fate of his predecessor, former Rep. Kevin McCarthy, who was ousted from the speakership in October.
Johnson, R-La., has faced intense criticism from some far-Right Republicans for including aid for Ukraine in spending package that passed earlier this month. A small number of Republicans, in conjunction with Democrats, could potentially remove Johnson from the speakership.
However, the top three House Democrats – Reps. Hakeem Jeffries, Katherine Clark, and Pete Aguilar – released a statement saying they will vote to table Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s motion to vacate the chair, effectively blocking any attempt to remove Johnson.
The Democratic support comes after Johnson struggled to pass key legislation, including government funding, the renewal of a surveillance program, and aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, often relying on Democratic votes.
This unusual “Uniparty” coalition has made hard-Right Republicans furious who believe their majority is being undermined.
Greene, R-Ga., filed a resolution earlier this month to remove Johnson from office, but she did not force an immediate vote. Johnson distanced himself from Democrats, stating he had not requested their assistance or focused on the issue.
But many House Republicans are seeking to move past the divisions that have plagued their party since taking the majority in January. In a closed-door meeting Tuesday, Republicans discussed creating unity heading into the November elections, with the chairman of the Republican National Committee emphasizing that presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump wants a unified House majority.
Despite this, Greene indicated she might still proceed with efforts to remove Johnson, accusing him of making a “slimy deal” with Democrats and vowing to expose the “Uniparty.”
The removal of McCarthy in October left the House in disarray for nearly a month, and Republicans are eager to avoid a repeat of this scenario. Democrats who are willing to support Johnson emphasized the need for an aid package focused on Ukraine and Israel.
Some Republican lawmakers viewed the Democratic shift as a sign of remorse for their role in ousting McCarthy, with Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, R-N.Y., praising Johnson’s leadership and ability to garner bipartisan support.