House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing backlash from hardline conservatives after pushing through a major foreign aid package in Congress. The Louisiana Republican’s decision to pass billions of dollars in aid for Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific region has sparked controversy within his own party.
Despite receiving praise from both Republicans and Democrats for assisting key US allies, Johnson is now at risk of facing a vote over his ouster. Some conservatives, including GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, have accused Johnson of betraying Republican voters and have threatened to call for his removal if he does not resign.
Johnson, however, has stood firm in his leadership, stating that he will not resign and warning that a vote to oust him could cause chaos in the House. While Greene has filed a motion to vacate the speaker, it remains unclear when or if a vote will take place.
Many Republicans have cautioned against an ouster vote, fearing it could disrupt the House GOP conference. Johnson has attempted to quell conservative opposition by emphasizing his support for causes that resonate with the GOP base, including calling for the resignation of a university president amid protests on campus.
Despite the ongoing turmoil, there is a widespread expectation on Capitol Hill that Johnson would prevail in a vote to oust him, with enough Democrats potentially crossing the aisle to support him. As the political drama unfolds, all eyes are on Johnson as he navigates the fallout from his decision to pass the foreign aid package.