Democrats, having previously collaborated with some Republican factions to remove Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, indicated on Friday their willingness to similarly support the current Speaker, Mike Johnson, against efforts to oust him, conditioned on him allowing a vote on the delayed aid package for Ukraine.
This comes in the wake of a maneuver by Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican known for her provocative stance, to initiate a motion to dismiss Johnson due to his support for a bipartisan spending bill critical for preventing a government shutdown.
Greene, without substantiating her claims, asserted she had backing from fellow Republicans, reflecting the existing discontent among some conservatives over Johnson’s potential support for a $95 billion aid bill targeting Ukraine, Israel, and other allies.
Johnson, however, has been resistant to bringing this bill to a vote, promising to revisit the matter after a legislative recess.
In defense of Johnson, a spokesperson highlighted his commitment to governance, emphasizing efforts to advance conservative policies, including border security and national defense.
Despite Greene’s aggressive tactics, some Democrats see an opportunity for Johnson to adopt a more cooperative approach, leveraging their support to maintain his position.
Representative Jamie Raskin voiced a readiness to align with any party member advocating for democracy and human rights, perceiving resistance to Ukraine aid as indirectly benefiting Russian interests.
Raskin speculated that this could be a pivotal moment for Johnson to distance himself from factions aligned with Donald Trump and more broadly, to advocate for global democracy and freedom.
Echoing this sentiment, Representative Abigail Spanberger expressed openness to supporting Johnson if it meant progress on the Senate’s aid package.
Meanwhile, Greene criticized Johnson for relying on Democratic votes for passing a bill she opposed, which funded various government departments.
She questioned the Republican voter base’s appetite for a Speaker maintained in office through Democratic support, underscoring the political complexities Johnson faces as he navigates these challenges.