Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images)
- Democrats have officially decided to protect Speaker Mike Johnson from MTG's ouster effort.
- They said it was time to "turn the page on this chapter of Pro-Putin Republican obstruction."
- Greene could still force the vote anyway in order to put lawmakers on record.
Speaker Mike Johnson's job is probably safe, at least until November.
In a statement on Tuesday morning, the top three House Democratic leaders — including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries — said that they would oppose any effort by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene to oust Johnson from the speakership.
"The time has come to turn the page on this chapter of Pro-Putin Republican obstruction," the three leaders said. "We will vote to table Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's Motion to Vacate the Chair. If she invokes the motion, it will not succeed."
The leaders' statement signals that the vast majority of Democrats will do the same.
It's a stark contrast to October, when every Democrat present voted against tabling the motion, and then voted for Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida's motion to vacate then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
In a lengthy tweet issued later on Tuesday morning, Greene made clear that she would still force a vote on her motion to vacate, though she did not say when.
"I'm a big believer in recorded votes because putting Congress on record allows every American to see the truth and provides transparency to our votes," said Greene.
Everyday, I fight the Democrat agenda destroying America and I fight for an America First Republican agenda.
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) April 30, 2024
Mike Johnson is officially the Democrat Speaker of the House. Here is their official endorsement of his Speakership.
What slimy back room deal did Johnson make for the… pic.twitter.com/HGDyDzvJQH
Greene first filed her "motion to vacate" against Johnson at the end of March after the House passed a government funding bill that did not include many hard-right priorities.
Johnson further incensed conservatives by holding a vote on Ukraine aid earlier this month as part of an unconventional plan that satisfied Democrats and even delighted progressives.
In a way, Greene's threat may have backfired on her and made the passage of Ukraine aid more likely. Rank-and-file Democrats immediately declared that they would be willing to protect Johnson from her ouster effort if he held a vote on Ukraine aid, giving the GOP speaker an easy path toward staying in the job.
At a press conference shortly after the statement went out, Johnson said he did not have direct conversation with Democratic leadership about their decision.
So far, just two other Republicans — Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Paul Gosar of Arizona — have signed onto Greene's effort. Many other Republicans, including those who backed the McCarthy ouster, say that now is not a good time to change speakers with just over 6 months to go before the election.
Though it's now certain to fail, Greene's plan to force a vote on the matter could weaken Johnson's political standing in future leadership elections by showing that he's reliant on Democratic votes to continue serving. Some progressives may still vote against tabling Greene's motion.