Speaker Jeffries an 'Increasingly Likely' Reality, AOC Predicts

Amid a motion to vacate resolution being filed against House Speaker Mike Johnson, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Democrat, predicted on CNN's State of the Union on Sunday that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries taking over the speakership is becoming an "increasingly likely" reality.

"My vote will most likely be for Speaker Jeffries, which becomes an increasingly likely reality day-after-day as Republicans pursue midterm resignations," Ocasio-Cortez said.

Context:

On Friday, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican, filed a motion to hold a vote on whether to remove Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, from his leadership position after he held a vote on a bill to fund the federal government and avert a shutdown that was opposed by the GOP conference's most staunchly conservative lawmakers. The motion is unprivileged, meaning it does not automatically force a vote. Greene told reporters it was "more of a warning" for Johnson, accusing him of a "betrayal" of Republican voters.

While a vote is not expected to be held on the motion in the coming days, the resolution leaves Johnson in a potentially vulnerable position as he considers bringing forward future legislation.

What We Know:

During Sunday's interview, Ocasio-Cortez was asked by CNN host Jake Tapper how she and other Democratic representatives would vote.

The congresswoman noted she would likely be voting for Jeffries, adding that Democrats work as a team and would not be inclined to keep Johnson "out of sympathy for Republican."

"I think for those of us or any Democrat inclined, I don't think we do that for free. I don't think we do that out of sympathy for Republicans. I think the realities of governance is there, we want to make sure that governance continues and that responsible governance continues and that tends to happen under a Democratic majority," Ocasio-Cortez said.

Greene's motion comes after Representative Ken Buck, a Colorado Republican, stepped down Friday, leaving the Republicans' majority to shrink by five members, with a makeup of 218 Republicans and 213 Democrats. This means that if a vote is held, Johnson could only afford two defections without turning to Democrats who may demand concessions on policy issues such as the foreign aid bill.

Raj Shah, a spokesperson for Johnson, responded to the resolution in a previous statement to Newsweek.

"Speaker Johnson always listens to the concerns of members, but is focused on governing. He will continue to push conservative legislation that secures our border, strengthens our national defense and demonstrates how we'll grow our majority," Shah said.

Newsweek has reached out to Johnson's office and Ocasio-Cortez's office via email for comment.

Views:

Ocasio-Cortez said during Sunday's interview that she will not be inclined to vote for Johnson.

"I think Democrats we work as a team, I'm not inclined to vote for Speaker Johnson, I'm not inclined to vote for an individual for speaker who doesn't believe women's rights [and] doesn't believe in right to bodily autonomy."

Representative Matt Gaetz, a Florida Republican who led the ousting of Representative Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican, from the speakership in October told NBC News on Friday that he believes ousting Johnson could end with a Democratic speaker.

"We'd have Republicans cross over. I worry that we've got Republicans who would vote for [House Minority Leader] Hakeem Jeffries at this point. I really do. I take no joy in saying that. But you can only vacate the speaker if you know that the party leadership won't change hands. I knew that with certainty last time. I don't know it with certainty this time," he said.

However, one Democratic member of Congress has signaled he would likely vote to save Johnson.

"It's absurd that he's getting kicked out for doing the right thing, keeping the government open. It has two-thirds support of the Congress, and the idea that he would be kicked out by these jokers is absurd," Representative Tom Suozzi of New York told CNN on Friday.

Meanwhile, Representative Marcy Kaptur, an Ohio Democrat, told CNN she wants to "keep my options open," adding the speaker she "really want[s] to vote for" is Jeffries.

"We'll see what happens. There have been a number of Republican resignations. They are leaving early because of the chaos and extremism on the other side of the aisle," she said.

What's Next?

Johnson will face a major decision about whether to hold a vote on a bill for additional funding for Ukraine and other United States allies abroad including Israel and Taiwan. Greene has opposed this bill, arguing those funds should be spent at home to secure the U.S.-Mexico border. If he holds a vote on that legislation, Greene could move to hold a vote on her resolution.

In that scenario, Johnson may be forced to rely on Democratic support to save his speakership due to Republicans' razor-thin margin in the House. It remains unclear whether there is a substantial coalition of Democrats who would vote to save Johnson's speakership.

Update 3/24/24, 9:48 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and background.

Update 3/24/24, 10:12 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and background.