Democrats protect US House Speaker from impeachment

House Democratic leaders say they will not support a proposal to impeach Republican Speaker Mike Johnson.

After a regular closed-door meeting of House Democrats on April 30, Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said the party would defend Mike Johnson against an attempt by Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene to oust him.

"If Greene's proposal to remove Speaker of the House comes to a vote, she will certainly not succeed," said a statement from House Democratic leaders.

Ms. Greene warned earlier this month that she would file a motion to impeach the Speaker of the House if he allowed the Ukraine aid bill to pass. The US House of Representatives on April 20 passed a $95 billion foreign aid bill, including nearly $61 billion for Ukraine.

Ms Greene later called for Mr Johnson to resign, accusing him of "working for the Democrats". However, many Republicans still support House Speaker Johnson. Former President Donald Trump, who still maintains influence in the Republican Party, also expressed support for Johnson, saying he did a good job in difficult times.

"House Democrats put people above politics and found bipartisan common ground with traditional Republicans to deliver real results," Jeffries said, referring to the US's April 23 approval of a $95 billion foreign aid package.

"In addition, House Democrats are determined to push back against MAGA extremism. We will continue to do that," he added, referring to former President Trump's "Make America Great Again" slogan.

US House Speaker Mike Johnson at a press conference in Congress on April 30. Photo: AFP — US House Speaker Mike Johnson at a press conference in Congress on April 30. Photo: *AFP*

Mr. Johnson, 52, was elected the 56th Speaker of the House of Representatives in October 2023, ending three weeks of turmoil after Mr. McCarthy was ousted. Under rules passed early last year, any member of Congress can file a motion to remove the Speaker, and the chamber must vote on the motion within two days. Mr. Johnson will need at least 218 votes in favor of the 435 members of the House to retain his position.

Republicans currently hold 217 seats in the House of Representatives while Democrats hold 212, with six seats vacant. So far, only two lawmakers have supported Ms. Greene's position. That means Mr. Johnson cannot be removed from office without the support of the Democrats.

Mr. Johnson expressed surprise at the Democrats' announcement. "This is the first I've heard of this," he said while holding a press conference in Congress. "I have to do my job. We have to do what we believe is right. The country needs a functioning Congress."

He recalled the three-week House shutdown that followed the ouster of his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy, late last year. Johnson also denied that he had struck a deal with Jeffries in exchange for Democratic support.

"There is no deal. I am not asking for anyone's support, I am just focused on getting the job done and passing bills," he said.

Responding to the Democrats' move, Ms. Greene posted on social network X that Mr. Johnson "is officially the Chairman of the Democratic Party in the House of Representatives", calling on him to "resign and move to another party".

Huyen Le (According to Reuters , Hill )

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