House Speaker position seems to be in jeopardy

 

House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing a potential threat to his leadership position after passing a $95 billion foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, despite opposition from hardline conservatives. The package was praised by many Republicans and Democrats, but some conservatives, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, have threatened to call a vote on his ouster if he doesn't resign.

Johnson has defended his leadership and warned that a vote to oust him could cause chaos in the House. However, Greene has argued that more House Republicans will support her effort to remove Johnson after hearing from their constituents over the recess.

The situation is still uncertain, and it's unclear when or whether a vote to decide Johnson's political fate will come up. Many Republicans have warned against an ouster vote, fearing it could throw the House GOP conference into chaos again, like the contentious weeks-long fight for a new speaker after former Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted last year.

Greene filed a motion to vacate the speaker more than a month ago but has not yet taken the steps needed to force a vote. So far, two other House Republicans, Reps. Thomas Massie and Paul Gosar, have publicly backed the effort. A floor vote to oust Johnson would require a majority to succeed, and if a vote were triggered, a motion to table the resolution could be offered and voted on first, which would also require a simple majority to succeed.

Currently, there is an expectation on Capitol Hill that enough Democrats would be willing to cross the aisle for Johnson to prevail in such a vote. Over the recess, Johnson appeared to be trying to quell conservative opposition by highlighting his support for causes and positions that motivate the GOP base. He visited Columbia University and called on the university president to resign amid protests on campus, which earned some plaudits from detractors inside the GOP.

The situation is complex, with many factors at play. Johnson's leadership is being tested, and the outcome is uncertain. The House GOP conference is divided, and the potential for chaos and infighting is high. The fate of Johnson's speakership hangs in the balance, and the coming days and weeks will be crucial in determining his future as House Speaker.