Key Republicans Consulted by Johnson on Speakership and Ukraine Aid

Tune in to “Inside Politics Sunday with Manu Raju” at 8 a.m. ET and 11 a.m. ET for more on the attempt to remove House Speaker Mike Johnson and the debate surrounding Ukraine aid.

After facing a challenge to his position from a far-right colleague, Mike Johnson sought advice from an unexpected ally: outspoken GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz from Florida, who previously led a campaign to oust a speaker.

Gaetz recently had a phone conversation with Johnson, offering support and advice. Gaetz encouraged Johnson to focus on achieving conservative victories in the coming weeks to handle the potential threat of a motion to remove him from the speaker's position. Gaetz mentioned in an interview with CNN that he advised Johnson to adopt a more aggressive approach and was pleased with Johnson's response to the suggestion. Johnson is determined to secure wins for House Republicans and is resisting pressures to approve the $95 billion Ukraine supplemental bill passed by the Senate.

Johnson, as a speaker, has various tools to calm down his right flank members who were upset about the recent spending deal. The future of Johnson holding onto his speaker position may depend on how he handles the upcoming controversial issue regarding funding for Ukraine in its conflict against Russia.

When asked if he would reconsider supporting Johnson if a Ukraine bill without spending cuts is presented, Gaetz expressed disappointment at the idea of no offsets. He emphasized the importance of not relying on deficit spending for Ukraine funding and prioritizing the country's own border security. Gaetz also mentioned that Speaker Johnson shares his perspective on these matters.

While GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia has filed a motion to vacate, she has not taken the necessary steps to push for a floor vote on the resolution. Her allies close to Johnson do not believe she will go through with it, and if she does, they doubt she will receive much support from either side of the aisle. Johnson's office remains focused on governing and is not operating in fear of a motion to vacate.

However, with the House Republican majority shrinking, Greene's unpredictable behavior, and the sudden removal of former speaker Kevin McCarthy, Johnson cannot afford to take any chances. Recent conversations with the speaker indicate that he is aware of the looming threat of a motion to vacate as he makes crucial decisions about Ukraine aid, which could impact his political career in the short or long term. During the Easter recess, Johnson has been quietly collaborating with key allies to plan his strategy regarding Ukraine.

"He has to regain support after that budget debacle," expressed a GOP lawmaker who was disappointed by the spending package to CNN. "It was a terrible deal."

Democrats are indicating that they will support Johnson if he introduces a Ukraine bill that aligns with their preferences. However, if the bill falls short of their expectations or includes new border restrictions, he risks alienating both Democrats and right-wing Republicans who oppose providing additional funds for Ukraine. Additionally, incorporating spending cuts to offset the Ukraine package, as advocated by Gaetz and other hardliners, would face strong opposition from Democrats.

"My advice to Mike is to focus on connecting with the American people first, and then build from there. It's important to start from home, rather than starting from Ukraine and moving in that direction," stated GOP Rep. Chip Roy of Texas. He mentioned that he has been in regular contact with the speaker and his team.

Roy, who has been vocal in criticizing the bipartisan spending law, did not disclose whether he would support Greene's attempt to remove Johnson.

"We need to bring Republicans together to show the extreme actions of our progressive Democrat colleagues and offer a different vision," he stated.

At the same time, Greene is strategizing with a few allies to assess the positions of other members, as shared by a lawmaker involved in the discussions.

“People are talking about it,” the lawmaker said.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia speaks to reporters outside of the U.S. Capitol Building on March 22, 2024, in Washington, DC.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia speaks to reporters outside of the U.S. Capitol Building on March 22, 2024, in Washington, DC.

Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

When Greene filed her motion against Johnson, GOP Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky mentioned to CNN that Greene is not in a hurry to take action. Massie stated last week, "Presumably now we can start looking for a replacement and continue with investigations and our regular business."

He declined to reveal whether he backs removing Johnson, stating that there is no advantage for him in responding to that question.

Although Greene has been openly criticizing the speaker on social media recently, insiders suggest that she is keeping her true intentions private and only sharing them with a select group of close allies.

Hardliners are unsure about removing Johnson from his position. Despite Greene and her allies beginning to talk to their colleagues, some key members of the far-right House Freedom Caucus, who previously supported McCarthy's removal, are not showing the same interest in ousting Johnson.

GOP Rep. Bob Good of Virginia, who chairs the right-wing group and was one of eight Republicans who voted to oust McCarthy, has a frosty relationship with Greene, who is backing his primary opponent.

Good told CNN, “Nobody cares what Marjorie Taylor Greene says or thinks. And she’s a one-man show. She’s grandstanding and she wants attention.”

Good did not directly indicate whether he would support voting to remove Johnson from office. However, he expressed disapproval of the actions taken that mirrored those of the former speaker.

When questioned about whether Johnson should be ousted, Good declined to provide a clear answer. He implied that his lack of comment spoke volumes on its own.

Other hardliners are against removing Johnson from his position as speaker of the House.

GOP Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina explained his stance, stating, “I believe it is not the right moment to subject America to another leadership struggle in the House. Therefore, I will not be in favor of the motion to vacate the speaker when it is brought to a vote on the House floor.”

Many Republicans are currently supporting Johnson, but they caution that his actions regarding Ukraine aid in April could impact their support in the future.

GOP Rep. Andrew Clyde from Georgia expressed doubt about Greene's threat against Johnson's job, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing border security at home before getting involved in other countries' border issues.

Rep. Matt Gaetz leaves a closed-door House Republican meeting at the US Capitol on October 20, 2023, in Washington, DC.

Rep. Matt Gaetz leaves a closed-door House Republican meeting at the US Capitol on October 20, 2023, in Washington, DC.

Some people worry that if there is another speaker fight, it could lead to a coalition with Democrats. This might result in House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries becoming speaker, especially since the margins in the House are narrow and frustrations among Republicans are increasing. Several GOP lawmakers expressed this concern to Greene on the House floor, hoping to convince her not to go ahead with her resolution to remove Johnson, according to sources who spoke to CNN.

In a recent interview, Gaetz mentioned that the last time he took action to vacate, he was able to keep his promise of not having a Democrat speaker of the House. However, he expressed uncertainty about being able to do it again with a smaller majority.

Despite the challenges, Greene remains determined and continues to push forward both on social media and behind the scenes. She revealed in a CNN interview that she has received support from "quite a few" lawmakers, although she did not disclose specific numbers or names.

She added that while some have committed, a large number have already expressed a huge sigh of relief. Meanwhile, Greene has been targeting Johnson in a relentless stream of social media posts, making her intentions clear without hesitation.

On Thursday, she emphasized the importance of my motion to vacate as a catalyst for change. It is crucial for Republicans to take this seriously and dedicate the needed time to strategize and unite for fresh leadership.

This report was a collaborative effort by Haley Talbot and Sheden Tesfaldet.

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights the precarious position of House Speaker Mike Johnson, who faces a challenge to his leadership from far-right Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. Greene's motion to vacate, if successful, could lead to a change in House leadership, potentially even a coalition with Democrats, given the narrow Republican majority. The article reveals that Johnson has sought advice from Rep. Matt Gaetz, who previously led a successful campaign to oust a speaker. Gaetz has encouraged Johnson to focus on conservative victories and adopt a more aggressive approach. However, Johnson's support among hardliners is uncertain, with some expressing disapproval of Greene's actions and others remaining non-committal.

The article also discusses the upcoming vote on the $95 billion Ukraine supplemental bill, which could further strain Johnson's position. Democrats have indicated support for Johnson if he introduces a bill that aligns with their preferences, while right-wing Republicans oppose additional funding for Ukraine. Johnson's handling of this issue could impact his political career, as he faces pressure from both sides of the aisle. The article concludes by highlighting Greene's determination to push forward with her motion to vacate, despite the challenges and concerns raised by some Republicans.