GOP lawmaker plans motion to oust speaker over Ukraine aid support

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene plans to force the departure of Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson for his endorsement of more aid to Ukraine

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a political newcomer, revealed Wednesday her intention to force the departure of Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson for his endorsement of more aid to Ukraine.

Greene, a contentious individual well-known for her steadfast devotion to the late President Donald Trump, called Johnson’s position a “betrayal” and promised to present a resolution to remove him from office the following week.

At a news briefing, Greene declared: “Mike Johnson fully joined the disgusting business model of Washington DC to fund forever wars.”

“So next week, I will call this motion to vacate,” she added.

Johnson replied by criticizing Greene’s motives in a statement and calling them harmful to the Republican Conference, the organization, and the nation at large.

According to the House of Representatives rules, a single member may call for a vote to remove the speaker, a power that Greene looks ready to exercise in her bid to replace Johnson.

Her efforts are unlikely to succeed, though, as Democrats have indicated they want to support Johnson – albeit in an unconventional manner.

Greene declared ahead of the forthcoming vote: “I can’t wait to see Democrats go out and support a Republican speaker.”

Tensions within Congress have arisen because of the debate over U.S. support for Ukraine, especially among far-right Republicans who want to reduce aid to the war-torn country in its struggle with Russia.

After much consideration and pressure from Democrats and U.S. allies, Johnson decided to support a fresh assistance package for Ukraine, which infuriated some members of his party’s radical right-wing element.

This event reminds me of one that happened a few months ago when former Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was forced to resign because of accusations made by a tiny group of Trump supporters he had made a “secret deal” with Democrats over Ukraine.

Johnson’s ouster seems improbable despite the unrest among the GOP ranks, highlighting the party’s continued division over internal leadership and foreign policy issues.

Source: AFP