Senior Democrat insists that party will protect House speaker from removal, but only under specific circumstances

House Speaker Mike Johnson’s Future in Jeopardy Over Aid Package Vote

In a surprising turn of events, a senior Democratic member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee has hinted at a potential alliance with Republicans to prevent the ouster of House Speaker Mike Johnson. The condition? Johnson must allow a defense aid package, including humanitarian aid for Gaza, to receive a fair vote on the House floor.

Brad Sherman, the second highest-ranking Democrat on the Foreign Affairs panel, stated that if Johnson includes the humanitarian aid provisions in the bill, Democrats may support him in a vote to remove him as Speaker. This unexpected twist comes after Johnson faced calls for his resignation from a far-right colleague for agreeing to consider legislation for military aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.

Despite the pressure from within his own party, Johnson remains steadfast in his commitment to his duties as Speaker. He dismissed calls for his resignation as “absurd” and emphasized the importance of lawmakers focusing on their responsibilities to the American people.

The upcoming vote on the defense aid package will be a crucial moment for Johnson’s leadership. If he fails to bring the entire package to the floor or allows divisive amendments to derail the process, he could face a similar fate as his predecessor, former Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

As the House gears up for a busy week focused on foreign policy, all eyes will be on Johnson as he navigates the challenges ahead. The final vote on the aid package is scheduled for Friday, but the real test will come during the rule vote governing debate and procedure, where Johnson may face resistance from conservative members of his own party.

The future of House Speaker Mike Johnson hangs in the balance, with the aid package vote serving as a make-or-break moment for his leadership. Stay tuned for more updates as this political drama unfolds in Washington.