Democrats pledge to protect Republican speaker from potential removal effort

House Democrats have announced their support to save Speaker Mike Johnson in the face of a potential motion to vacate brought by far-right Republicans, led by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene. The motion, aimed at removing Johnson from his position, has struggled to gain traction even among some Republicans who previously supported the ousting of Johnson’s predecessor, Kevin McCarthy.

The move to remove Johnson comes after he faced backlash from the right wing of his party for his decision to vote in favor of sending aid to Ukraine as part of a $95 billion foreign aid package that also included funds for Israel and Taiwan. Despite the criticism, top House Democrats have pledged to vote to table Greene’s motion, ensuring that Johnson will likely retain his position as Speaker.

Republican Representative Anthony D’Esposito expressed confidence that there will be enough Republican support to back Johnson, highlighting a shift in alliances since the previous motion to oust McCarthy, where every Democrat present voted in favor.

The announcement from Democratic leadership comes amidst ongoing speculation about Johnson’s future as Speaker, with concerns raised about his ability to pass key legislation with a narrow majority. Despite the challenges, Democrats and some Republicans see Johnson’s leadership as an opportunity for bipartisan cooperation on important issues like national security.

While Greene’s motion to vacate remains on the table with two co-sponsors, the support from House Democrats signals a united front in ensuring stability in leadership and the continuation of legislative progress in Washington.