Speaker Mike Johnson may introduce a Ukraine aid bill to the House, but only if Democrats help save his job when Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is trying to fire him.
How can Mike Johnson top the speaker on aid to Ukraine?
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) had his position threatened when Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) pledged to introduce a motion to resign from the House if any form of aid to Ukraine passes the House.
According to Punchbowl News, Johnson is not opposed to aiding Ukraine, but allies suggest he may have to promise to vote to save his job in exchange for House Democrats sending the bill to the House floor.
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Of course, Johnson will have to deal with a potential move to back away from hard-line conservatives in Ukraine that could cost him his job. (Rep. Brian) Fitzpatrick, who has introduced a bill that includes only modest border security fixes and no lethal foreign aid, is urging Democrats to consider seeking Johnson's speakership if that happens. Fitzpatrick said this could be a deciding factor in whether the United States abandons Ukraine.
“We need our Democratic colleagues to help us here,” Fitzpatrick said. “We cannot punish someone who is sponsoring bipartisan legislation to save America and the world from an existential threat.”
Should Democrats Save Mike Johnson?
Johnson doesn't need the entire Democratic Caucus to vote for him. I think the Speaker would need three to eight Democrats to support him to re-elect him as Speaker. The Republican majority in the House is so small that Greene and one or two of her allies could oust Johnson. Then it will be up to two Democrats to save Johnson's job.
Should Democrats trade aid to Ukraine?
If Johnson gets the support of Democrats to keep his job, he'll be a dead man, politically speaking.
House Democrats can and should demand more in return for saving Johnson.
Democrats should seek Ukraine's support and a commitment to fund its government for the remainder of the year. Because Republicans will likely lose the House in November, saving Johnson will only be short-term.
The problem is that Democrats do not have a majority in the House, and it is not their job to elect the speaker.
If House Democrats must save Johnson, Leader Hakeem Jeffries probably won't force a speaker's vote and allow his caucus to vote as they wish.
The Democratic Party should not be put in this position. Johnson needs to show his leadership and put support for Ukraine on the ballot.
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Jason is the editor-in-chief. He is also a member of the White House Correspondent and Congressional Correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science. His graduate studies focused on public policy, specializing in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and the American Political Science Association.