Will Democrats Take Over House Amid Mike Johnson Ouster Threat?

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene's motion to vacate resolution against House Speaker Mike Johnson may give Democrats an opportunity to get concessions from the Louisiana Republican, with one prominent conservative warning that ousting Johnson could end with a Democratic speaker.

On Friday, Greene, a Georgia Republican, filed a motion to hold a vote on whether to remove Johnson 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.

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

After Representative Ken Buck steps down at the end of Friday, the Republicans' majority will shrink to only 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.

One Democratic lawmaker told Newsweek that there is a "bipartisan majority" to bring the supplemental bill to the floor, and that "whatever the vehicle is, there's going to be a big number of people who are going to do everything in our power to make sure it happens."

"I think everyone should be careful because the supplemental, getting it passed is urgent," they added. "It is a critical national security vote and arguably the most important vote we'll take in this term. I think most folks don't want to do anything to undermine our ability to get that on the floor."

That lawmaker also noted that Johnson "may not want to be saved."

"McCarthy didn't want to be saved, and he may not want to be saved either," they said.

Representative Matt Gaetz, a Florida Republican who led the ouster of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, told NBC News 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.

Raj Shah, Johnson's deputy chief of staff, responded to the resolution in a 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.

Already, 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, a New York Democrat, told CNN.

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," Kaptur said.

"I think it's very unpredictable where things will be by July, August, September. So we'll have to see. I'm sorry that the gentlewoman from Georgia has done this to create more chaos at a time when America needs to be resolute to meet our responsibilities at home."