Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives announced that they will not support the proposal to remove Chairman Mike Johnson, a Republican.
After a regular closed-door meeting between Democratic lawmakers in the House of Representatives on April 30, Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said the party would protect Mike Johnson against the overthrow attempt by Republican congressman Marjorie Taylor Greene.
“If Greene’s proposal to remove the Speaker of the House is put to a vote, she will certainly not succeed,” said a statement from Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives.
Ms. Greene earlier this month warned that she would submit a motion to remove the Speaker of the House of Representatives if he let the Ukraine aid bill pass. The US House of Representatives on April 20 passed a foreign aid bill worth $95 billion, including nearly $61 billion for Ukraine.
Ms. Greene then called for Mr. Johnson to resign, accusing him of “working for the Democrats”. However, many Republicans still support House Speaker Johnson. Former President Donald Trump, who still maintains influence in the Republican Party, also expressed support for Johnson, saying he did a good job during difficult times.
“House Democrats put the people above political issues and find bipartisan common ground with traditional Republicans to deliver real results,” Mr. Jeffries said, proposing On April 23, the US approved a 95 billion USD foreign aid package.
“In addition, the Democrats in the House of Representatives are also determined to push back against MAGA extremism. We will continue to do that,” he added, referring to the former slogan “Make America Great Again”. President Trump.
US House Speaker Mike Johnson at a press conference in Congress on April 30. Image: AFP
Mr. Johnson, 52 years old, was elected as the 56th Speaker of the US House of Representatives in October 2023, ending three weeks of chaos after Mr. McCarthy was removed from office. According to regulations passed early last year, any parliamentarian can make a motion, requesting the removal of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and this body will have to vote on that proposal within two days. Mr. Johnson will need at least 218 votes in favor out of 435 members of the House of Representatives to retain his position.
The Republican Party currently holds 217 seats in the House of Representatives while the Democrats hold 212 seats, 6 seats are vacant. To date, only two lawmakers support Ms. Greene’s views. That means Mr. Johnson cannot be removed from office with the support of the Democratic Party.
Ong Johnson expressed surprise at the Democrats’ announcement. “This is the first time I’ve heard about this,” he said while chairing a press conference in parliament. “I have to do my job. We have to do what we believe is right. The country needs an effective parliament.”
He recalled that the House of Representatives had to close for three weeks when his predecessor Kevin McCarthy was removed from office late last year. Johnson also rejected the idea that he reached an agreement with Jeffries in exchange for support from Democrats.
“There is no agreement. I don’t ask anyone for support but just focus on getting the job done and passing the bills,” he said.
Reacting to the Democratic Party’s move, Ms. Greene posted on social network
Huyen Le (Theo Reuters, Hill)