Tensions are flaring within the Republican party after the narrow passage of a $95 billion foreign aid package that includes close to $61 billion for Ukraine. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has trained her sights on Speaker Mike Johnson, accusing him of “betrayal” and threatening to force a vote to oust him as Speaker if he doesn’t resign.
The controversial aid bill squeaked through the House on Saturday with support from all Democrats and 101 Republicans. For months, Johnson had resisted putting Ukraine funding on the floor due to opposition from his right flank. His decision to finally allow a vote has inflamed lawmakers like Greene who strongly object to continued U.S. assistance for Ukraine’s war effort.
“Mike Johnson’s speakership is over. He needs to do the right thing to resign and allow us to move forward in a controlled process. If he doesn’t do so, he will be vacated,” Greene warned on Fox News.
The Georgia firebrand claimed Johnson’s action was a “betrayal” of Republican voters.
At least two other Republicans have signaled they would back a push to remove Johnson, who can ill afford any defections from his razor-thin majority. While the House Speaker maintains he has not solicited Democratic support, senior Republicans believe they could rely on some Democrats voting to keep Johnson if a motion to vacate surfaces.
Some Democrats may be open to protecting Johnson after he bucked his right wing to advance the Ukraine package, which closely aligns with a Senate-passed version expected to gain final approval this week. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) said Sunday he would oppose vacating Johnson, arguing “he did the right thing here and he deserves to keep his job.”
For now, Johnson is dismissing threats to his speakership, saying “I don’t walk around this building being worried about a motion to vacate.” But the intra-party battle lines are clearly being drawn over the Ukraine aid package and allegations of betrayal from figures like Greene.
Whether the Speaker can withstand the revolt from his conservative flank may determine if he finishes his term.
