(NationalUSNews.com) — Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) has openly acknowledged the risk of losing his leadership position to the house’s Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York) soon. The threat to Johnson’s position is not to be taken lightly, as it stems from Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene’s (R-Georgia) threats to initiate Johnson’s removal if he supports a bill for increased foreign aid to Ukraine.
During an interview with Fox News personality Sean Hannity, Johnson addressed Greene’s threat. Hannity asked about Greene’s threat to support a removal effort against Johnson and a subsequent election for Jeffries to replace Johnson as Speaker of the House, which Johnson admitted could occur if Greene’s attempted effort gains momentum. Despite Greene’s threats, Johnson acknowledged that she didn’t file any motions that would force representatives to vote, making Johnson’s removal seem less likely. According to Johnson, Greene only wants to make a statement by threatening removal rather than risk costing the Republicans their slim majority in the House of Representatives.
Johnson’s outspoken support for providing more foreign aid to Ukraine has caused a deep division within the House of Representatives. Most conservative lawmakers oppose the policy due to President Biden’s outspoken support for assisting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. This division and the threat to Johnson’s leadership have created a tense and uncertain atmosphere in the House.
Other issues for Republican lawmakers stemming from Ukraine aid relate to the southern United States border, the lack of finances provided to border officials, and policies meant to reduce illegal immigration. Representative Eli Crane (R-Arizona) claimed that American lawmakers shouldn’t provide more aid to Ukraine until they address the ongoing immigration crisis. Crane described Johnson’s recently proposed foreign aid package as “absurd” and called for peace talks rather than more aid-focused legislation.
Although Johnson’s push for more legislation aimed at helping Ukraine caused Republican lawmakers to consider removing him from his leadership role, Democratic lawmakers may vote for Johnson to prevent a successful removal vote. Moderate Democrats would likely vote for Johnson to prevent Jeffries from gaining a leadership role due to his outspoken liberal beliefs, which many moderates disagree with. While Johnson considers a removal effort possible, lawmakers still need to push a vote to force an election on the House of Representatives leadership.
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