House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has come under fire from fellow Republicans after the approval of a foreign aid package that would allocate $60.8 billion for Ukraine. The move was met with strong opposition from a group of far-right Republican lawmakers, led by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.). Greene, known for her controversial political statements, has long been at odds with Johnson over issues such as border security, government spending, and now foreign aid.
In a recent appearance on ABC’s “This Week,” Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) praised Johnson for his role in the foreign aid approval, stating that he would “table” any motion to remove him from his position. Khanna’s remarks highlight the growing divide within the Republican Party and the rising tensions between far-right and establishment lawmakers.
Johnson’s role in securing the foreign aid package has garnered mixed reactions from his Republican colleagues. On ABC’s “This Week,” host Jonathan Karl asked Khanna if Johnson “deserved credit” for how the foreign aid approval “played out.” In response, Khanna credited Johnson, stating that he “always cared about civility” and should be commended for “doing the right thing.”
Khanna’s remarks may come as a surprise to some, given that he has been openly critical of Johnson in the past. However, Khanna’s words also reflect a growing trend among some Democrats to reach across the aisle and acknowledge the efforts of their Republican counterparts.
Khanna’s statement that he would “table” any motion to remove Johnson from his position reflects a significant shift in the political landscape. Just last month, Greene, along with a group of far-right lawmakers, filed a motion to vacate Johnson’s seat, citing their disapproval of the foreign aid package. However, the motion did not garner enough support to force a vote.
In recent interviews, Greene has threatened to bring up the motion again and “vacate” Johnson if he does not voluntarily step down. While Greene’s resolve may be firm, Khanna’s statement suggests that there may be a growing challenger to Greene’s bid to remove Johnson.
Meanwhile, Johnson’s future as House Speaker remains uncertain. When asked by host Jonathan Karl about a potential motion to vacate, Khanna clarified that he would support Johnson through the end of his term but believes that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will remain in her position beyond 2022.
It is unclear if other Democrats will follow Khanna’s lead, but his statement may signal a growing trend of support for Johnson among some on the left. This support may stem from Johnson’s decision to bring the $1.2 trillion spending bill to the House floor, which includes additional funding for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan.
The House’s approval of the foreign aid package has sparked outrage among members of the Republican Party. In an interview with Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures,” Greene accused Johnson of being a traitor to the Republican Party and the American people. She also vowed to bring up a motion to vacate Johnson’s seat, stating that his “speakership is over.” However, despite her strong words and previous threats, Greene did not force a vote on the issue following the aid package’s approval.
Publicly, Greene’s only supporters in this campaign have been Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.). While some Democrats may have publicly expressed support for Johnson, it remains to be seen if they will follow through on their promises to “table” any vote to remove him. The outcome of this show of support may be a determining factor in Johnson’s future as House Speaker.
The controversy over the foreign aid package and Johnson’s role in its approval highlights the deepening divide within the Republican Party and the challenges facing party unity. Johnson’s recent interviews have reflected his frustration with the growing criticism from members of his own party. In a recent interview, Johnson criticized fellow Republicans for their unwillingness to sit in on classified briefings about Ukraine, stating that this was a “critical time on the world stage.”