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☆ House passes antisemitism bill as Johnson highlights campus protests
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Clare Foran | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

“The bill sweeps too broadly.”Speaker Johnson puts a spotlight on campus protestsHouse Speaker Mike Johnson has increasingly put a spotlight on campus protests. Last week, the Louisiana Republican visited Columbia University to meet with Jewish students and hold a press conference where he called on the university’s president to resign. CAIR has reported record incidents of Islamophobia on campus, and the Anti-Defamation League has recorded a historic number of incidents of violence and threats against Jewish students. Some Jewish students have said they were threatened by protesters and encountered antisemitic rhetoric at some of the rallies. The White House and multiple governors have voiced support for Jewish students and urged protesters and universities to exercise restraint.

Persons: New York Republican Mike Lawler, “, ”, Josh Gottheimer, Max Miller, Jared Moskowitz, Jerry Nadler, Johnson, Mike Johnson, Virginia Foxx, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Donald Trump, Trump, Nick Fuentes, Kanye, ” Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, CNN’s David Goldman, Ramishah Maruf, Kate Sullivan Organizations: CNN, Department, Education, International Holocaust, Alliance, Critics, GOP, Senate, New York Republican, New, New Jersey Democrat, Ohio Republican, Florida Democrat, American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU, Democratic, ”, Louisiana Republican, Columbia University, Republicans, House Education, Yale, UCLA, Committee, Jewish, White, Kanye West, CAIR, Defamation Locations: Israel, New Jersey, Ohio, Florida, New York, Louisiana, North Carolina, Michigan, Columbia, Lago, Charlottesville , Virginia, United States, Gaza

☆ Johnson’s speakership hangs in the balance as ouster threat looms
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Clare Foran | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —House Speaker Mike Johnson pushed to pass a major foreign aid package over the objections of hardline conservatives. Looming over Johnson as lawmakers come back to Washington is the question of whether he will face a vote over his ouster. A number of conservatives, however, opposed the legislation — and sending further aid to Ukraine in particular. So far, two other House Republicans have publicly backed the effort — Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Paul Gosar of Arizona. Over the recess, Johnson appeared to be trying to quell conservative opposition by highlighting his support for causes and positions that motivate the GOP base.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Johnson “, doesn’t, I’ve, ” Johnson, ” Greene, Kevin McCarthy, Marjorie Taylor Greene gaggles, Greene, Kent Nishimura, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Paul Gosar, Chip Roy, Texas, @SpeakerJohnson, ” CNN’s Kit Maher, Lauren Fox Organizations: CNN —, Louisiana Republican, Republicans, GOP, ” Republican, CNN, Getty, Columbia University Locations: Louisiana, Ukraine, Israel, Washington, Georgia, Washington ,, Taiwan, Paul Gosar of Arizona, Johnson, Columbia

☆ McCaul commends Speaker Johnson’s transformation following foreign aid vote
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Avery Lotz | Michelle Shen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul applauded House Speaker Mike Johnson Sunday for bringing foreign aid legislation to his chamber’s floor, characterizing the move as “a profile in courage.”“I am so proud of the speaker, Mike Johnson,” the Texas Republican, who has been a staunch supporter of passing additional foreign aid, said on ABC’s “This Week.” “He went through a transformation. At the end of the day, a profile in courage is putting the nation above yourself, and that’s what he did. Asked if he believes Johnson’s job is in jeopardy following the successful vote, McCaul argued “stock in Mike Johnson has gone way up” and that the speaker has “garnered a lot of respect” from both sides of the aisle. But Trump has not commented publicly about the package the House passed on Saturday and has previously expressed support for Johnson’s speakership. “What (Trump) wants is for a lifeline to be given to Ukraine,” McCaul contended, “so that when he gets into office … he can then negotiate and save it.”

Persons: Michael McCaul, Mike Johnson, ”, ‘, ’, Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, —, ” McCaul, “, McCaul, Donald Trump, Trump Organizations: CNN — House Foreign, Texas Republican, Senate, Republicans, firebrand Rep, House, Louisiana Republican, CNN, House Republicans, Russia, NATO, Johnson’s Locations: Israel, Ukraine, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Louisiana, United States

I think providing aid to Ukraine right now is critically important,” the speaker added. House TVThe speaker’s embrace of Ukraine aid represents a remarkable evolution for Johnson, who voted against funding for the country as a rank-and-file member. Johnson drags his feetJohnson did not come to his decision on how to handle foreign aid quickly. “Slow,” New York Rep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said when asked how Johnson handled Ukraine aid. In recent weeks, allies counseled Johnson to keep the former president in the loop on his potential foreign aid plans.

Persons: Manu Raju ”, Johnson, Mike Johnson, Hakeem Jeffries, Jeffries, Taiwan –, Michael McCaul, “, ” Johnson, Derrick Van Orden, Matt Gaetz, ”, Johnson –, Kevin McCarthy, –, Joe Biden, Donald Trump’s, Mike Pompeo, Volodymyr Zelensky, Zelensky, Bill Burns, Marjorie Taylor Greene, ” Jeffries, Biden, Mitch McConnell, Gregory Meeks, Patrick McHenry of, Trump, Johnson’s, ” Trump, Eli Crane, McCarthy, Bob Good, Johnson “, Greene, Al Green, Van Orden, Gaetz, I’m, ” Van Orden, Chip Roy’s, Bob Good’s, Kent Nishimura, Paul Gosar, Johnson’s speakership, We’re, we’ve, Tom Cole of, ” Cole, “ There’s, Warren Davidson, CNN’s Haley Talbot, Morgan Rimmer Organizations: GOP, CNN, Democratic, Louisiana Republican, Foreign, ”, Florida Republican, Senate, Republican, Ukraine, CIA, Naval Academy, Israel, Internal Revenue Service, New York Rep, House Foreign Affairs, Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, Lago, Arizona, Democratic Rep, Navy, Navy Seals, Wisconsin Republican, Capitol, Democrats, Republicans, GOP Rep, ” Veteran GOP Locations: Iran, Israel, Ukraine, Washington, Louisiana, Taiwan, Florida, American, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Patrick McHenry of North, Iranian, Virginia, Texas, Wisconsin, House, Arizona, Tom Cole of Oklahoma, Ohio

Gosar huddled on the House floor earlier in the day with GOP Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie, the other two co-sponsors of the motion to vacate the speakership. The House adjourned for the rest of the day on Friday afternoon, meaning the earliest Greene could move to oust Johnson is Saturday. A floor vote to oust Johnson would require a majority to succeed. “My position is that I’m open, and I’m not going to tell you guys what I’m going to do. The speaker was surrounded on the House floor on Thursday by a number of far-right lawmakers in a heated discussion.

Persons: Paul Gosar, Mike Johnson, Gosar, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Thomas Massie, Greene, Johnson, Chip Roy, “ I’m, ”, “, Eli Crane, Kevin McCarthy, I’m, ” Crane, ’, Dan Bishop, we’ve, Bishop, Gosar’s, Bob Good, CNN’s Manu Raju, Johnson “, Ralph Norman, hardliner, “ We’ve, We’ll, Mike, Norman Organizations: Washington CNN —, Arizona Republican, GOP, Conservative, The Arizona Republican, Washington, ’ ”, Republican Conference, North Carolina Republican, CNN, Louisiana Republican Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Louisiana

☆ These House Republicans want to boot Mike Johnson from the speakership
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene filed a "motion to vacate" against Speaker Mike Johnson in March. She argues that Johnson has betrayed the GOP, in part by allowing more Ukraine aid to pass. Since then, more Republicans have signed onto her effort, but Democrats could protect Johnson. AdvertisementRep. Marjorie Taylor Greene doesn't think Mike Johnson deserves his job anymore. The Georgia congresswoman is getting back-up on the so-called "motion to vacate" she filed against the GOP speaker of the House in March: two more Republicans signed on this week.

Persons: Marjorie Taylor Greene, Mike Johnson, Johnson, —, Marjorie Taylor Greene doesn't, Kevin McCarthy, Matt Gaetz, McCarthy, Greene, Bill Clark, Johnson Marjorie Taylor Greene, Thomas Massie, Massie, Paul Gosar Organizations: GOP, Service, Rep, Louisiana Republican, Inc, Getty, Republicans, Kentucky, Arizona, America Locations: Ukraine, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana

Right-wing lawmakers are ramping up their threats to remove Speaker Mike Johnson from his role after Johnson’s supporters pushed him to make it harder to oust him from the speakership. The House is finished with floor action for the day, which means that the earliest that Greene could make a motion to oust Johnson would be on Friday. At one point, Johnson was surrounded on the House floor by a number of far-right lawmakers in a heated discussion. Democrats weigh how to proceedThe House Rules Committee is meeting Thursday morning to begin considering the foreign aid bills. One thing that is hanging over discussions is that many Democrats view Johnson as a more honest broker than McCarthy.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson’s, Johnson, Kevin McCarthy, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Greene, “, Matt Gaetz, Derrick Van Orden, Gaetz “ tubby, ”, Van Orden, ” Greene, “ Mike Johnson, CNN’s Manu Raju, “, it’s, Anna Paulina Luna, ’, Luna, Dan Kildee, Pramila, ” Jayapal, Mike Quigley, ” Quigley, Jared Moskowitz, McCarthy, he’s, CNN’s Haley Talbot Organizations: CNN, Louisiana Republican, Georgia Rep, Republicans, Punchbowl News, GOP, Republican, Conservative, House Democratic Caucus, ” Democratic, Democrat, Democratic Locations: Louisiana, Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, Washington, “

☆ Mike Johnson: Doing ‘the right thing’ may cost the speaker his gavel
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

CNN —It took less than six months for Speaker Mike Johnson to reach his existential moment. His tiny majority means he can’t afford to lose more than one GOP vote to pass a bill on a party-line vote. But a GOP speaker dependent on Democratic votes will be seen by many Republicans as a tool of the minority party and would be on borrowed time. In this way, those who oppose Ukraine aid on principle could vote against it, allowing Democrats who support it to ensure its passage. These are important responsibilities,” Johnson told Tapper.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Kevin McCarthy, Paul Ryan, John Boehner –, Johnson, ” Johnson, CNN’s Jake Tapper, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Thomas Massie of, Donald Trump’s, Trump, Greene, Chip Roy, Roy, ”, –, CNN’s Manu Raju, ’ Johnson, he’s, Tapper, “, Dan Crenshaw, CNN’s Raju, Johnson “, ” Trump, hasn’t, bankrolling, Dwight Eisenhower, George W, Bush, Vladimir Putin doesn’t, We’re, Putin, Xi, Lloyd Austin, Biden, he’d Organizations: CNN, Louisiana Republican, Republicans, Texas Rep, Democratic, GOP, White, Texas GOP, Lago, Trump, Senate, “, ”, House Defense Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Mexico, Kyiv, Washington, Texas, Mar, Trumpism, Europe, Iran, North Korea, British, Jordanian, Russia, Russia’s, United States

“I am not resigning,” Johnson told reporters. Massie told Republican colleagues behind closed doors Tuesday morning that he will cosponsor the motion to vacate Johnson from his position. And then I said, ‘Well, you’re the one who’s going to put us into this,’ because the motion is going to get called up. In making his announcement Monday, the Louisiana Republican predicted the House will vote Friday evening on the separate bills. The Senate passed its bill in February – a $95.3 billion foreign aid bill with assistance for Ukraine, Israel and other priorities.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson, Thomas Massie, “, ” Johnson, Massie, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Trent Kelly, Mississippi, it’s, ” Massie, Kevin McCarthy, –, Republicans “, Republican – Greene –, ”, CNN’s Morgan Rimmer Organizations: Republican, Republican Rep, Louisiana Republican, CNN, Democratic, GOP, Republicans, Democrats, Senate, Internal Revenue Service Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Louisiana, Taiwan, Georgia

☆ House Democrats keep options open as effort to oust Johnson grows
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Lauren Fox | Kristin Wilson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

He’d let Putin take all of Europe,” Florida Rep. Jared Moskowitz said on CNN after Massie announced Tuesday he’d join Greene in her effort to oust Johnson. “Let’s just hope that that does not happen, and that we can do our responsibilities, protect and defend our own democracy as we protect theirs,” former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. “If Speaker Johnson wants to talk to Hakeem Jeffries, I think we’d be open to something like that. If only a handful of Republicans vote to oust Johnson, only a handful of Democrats would be needed to step in and help him keep his job. And that is where Democrats would have to decide if they’d help Johnson.

Persons: Mike Johnson, institutionalists, Johnson, Hakeem Jeffries, Kevin McCarthy, Israel, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Thomas Massie, He’d, Putin, Jared Moskowitz, Massie, he’d, Greene, Tom Suozzi, Johnson –, “ Let’s, Nancy Pelosi, “, Johnson’s, Sara Jacobs, ”, Jeffries, hypotheticals, McCarthy, Matt Gaetz, –, Chuck Schumer, ’ –, Alejandro Mayorkas –, wouldn’t, Ann Kuster, Mike Gallagher, they’d, ‘, ’ Jeffries, Gerry Connolly, “ It’s, Rosa DeLauro, We’ve, can’t, “ We’ve, Jamie Raskin, Jim Himes, “ Gerry, ” Himes Organizations: CNN — House, Democratic, Union, ”, CNN, New York Democratic, Republicans, California Democratic, Florida Rep, White, Foreign Intelligence, of Homeland, GOP, ” New Hampshire Democratic, Republican Rep, Louisiana Republican, Republican, Maryland Democratic, House Intelligence Locations: Israel, Europe, ” Florida, California, Ukraine, Louisiana, Haiti, Sudan, Gaza, “, Connecticut

Still, sources believe Emmer is working to improve his stock inside both the House GOP and MAGA world, and keeping his options open for the future. Others who could be waiting in the wings: House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, who also previously ran for speaker, and House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, a top Trump ally. During the press conference, Johnson got some key backup from the former president. And a large swath of the House GOP conference agrees. Louisiana GOP Rep. Garret Graves warned against the idea of ousting Johnson without another speaker candidate waiting in the wings.

Persons: Mike Johnson’s, Tom Emmer, Emmer, Donald Trump –, Trump, “ Tom, …, Dan Meuser, ”, Meuser, “, Neither, MAGA, Jim Jordan, Jordan, Johnson, Steve Scalise, Elise Stefanik, Kevin McCarthy, Thomas Massie of, Marjorie Taylor Greene, “ He’s, ” Greene, Greene, Emmer’s speakership, Johnson trekked, Marc Molinaro, Garret Graves, There’s, ” Graves, ” Jordan, ” Morgan Rimmer, Haley Talbot Organizations: CNN, GOP, Republican, Louisiana Republican, House Republicans, Minnesota Republican, Caucus, ”, Trump, House GOP, Ohio Republican, GOP Rep, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Republicans, “, “ Republican, Mar, Lago, New, New York Republican, Louisiana GOP Rep Locations: Pennsylvania, Ohio, Georgia, –, Iowa, Minnesota, Louisiana, New York

Johnson predicted the House will vote Friday evening on the separate bills. “My personal preference is to do it individually, but we’ll let the body decide.”Among the ways GOP leaders plan to address Ukraine aid: a bill to seize Russian assets, a lend-lease program for Ukraine military aid and convertible loans for humanitarian relief. Former President Donald Trump, who recently met with House Speaker Mike Johnson at Mar-a-Lago, has expressed openness to structuring Ukraine aid as a loan. The Senate passed its bill in February – a $95.3 billion foreign aid bill with assistance for Ukraine, Israel and other priorities. A significant number of House Republicans are opposed to sending further aid to Ukraine.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson, ” Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, ” Greene, “, haven’t, that’s, we’ll, Donald Trump, Kevin Hern, Hakeem Jeffries, ” Jeffries, Greene, ”, “ He’s, he’ll, Marjorie, President Trump, CNN’s Morgan Rimmer, Kristin Wilson Organizations: CNN, Louisiana Republican, GOP, Republican, Senate, Republicans, Democratic, Internal Revenue Service, Fox News, White House Locations: Israel, Ukraine, Mar, Oklahoma, Louisiana, East, Eastern Europe

☆ Trump’s extreme rhetoric is a mainstay of his 2024 campaign. Much of it could become a reality if he wins another term
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-13 | by ( Phil Mattingly | Andrew Seger | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

His pledge to direct Justice Department investigations is backed by allies who view his second term as driven by a maximalist theory of a president’s authority. But it also underscores why a second Trump term would be dramatically different. Some in Washington saw them as guardrails for a White House intent on fracturing not one, but all three branches of government. Yet Trump, should he secure a second term, would enter the White House with his most powerful Republican critics on Capitol Hill almost all gone. That would be a position that isn’t backed by his second term policy plans, or his private impulses during his first term in office – or, for that matter, in the decades prior.

Persons: Donald Trump, –, guardrails Trump, Jack Smith, Trump, ” Trump, Biden, ”, Joe Biden, he’s, He’s, Liz Cheney, Hillary Clinton, Clinton, John Kerry, John Bolton, It’s, Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, Ryan, ” McConnell, Mike Johnson, “, aren’t, Trump’s, – “, Hugh Hewitt, ” “, Charlie Rose, Rose, Larry King, Erin Burnett Organizations: CNN, Republican, Department, Capitol, Democrats, Trump, White, GOP, Joint Chiefs, Staff, Democratic, Trump’s Justice, Bolton, Congressional Republicans, Wisconsin Republican, Louisiana Republican, Mar, White House, Justice Department, CNBC Locations: Washington, Wisconsin, Louisiana

The House has put a modified surveillance bill on track for final passage as soon as Friday, just days after an earlier version failed to advance in a public rebuke to GOP leadership. The House voted Friday morning to approve the rule governing debate surrounding the modified bill behind Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act reauthorization, a key step before final passage. Greene was seen on the House floor speaking to Johnson, who later told reporters the two spoke about “all sorts of things.”“Marjorie and I agree on our conservative philosophy,” Johnson said. Johnson organized a classified reading room off the House floor for members to view classified information ahead of Friday’s vote, according to a GOP leadership aide. White House National Security communications adviser John Kirby reiterated the White House’s support for the reauthorization ahead of the final House floor vote expected later Friday.

Persons: Mike Johnson –, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Johnson, Greene, ” “ Marjorie, ” Johnson, “, Donald Trump, ”, Joe Biden, John Kirby, ” Kirby, Kirby, CNN’s Aileen Graef Organizations: Foreign Intelligence, GOP, Louisiana Republican, FISA, Trump, House, FBI, Senate, reauthorization, White, National Security Locations: Louisiana, Georgia, Ukraine, Florida, Iran

CNN —House conservatives revolted against GOP leadership and defeated a FISA rule vote on the floor Wednesday, the latest blow to Speaker Mike Johnson that comes after former President Donald Trump called on Republicans to kill the bill. “KILL FISA,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. Johnson told members at a closed-door conference meeting Wednesday morning that he spoke with Trump Tuesday night. But, according to members, Johnson told them they didn’t discuss FISA. In his call to “kill FISA,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, “IT WAS ILLEGALLY USED AGAINST ME, AND MANY OTHERS.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Donald Trump, Trump, “, ” Trump, Johnson, Matt Gaetz, Anna Paulina Luna, Tim Burchett, ”, Marjorie Taylor Greene, surveil Trump, Carter Page, ” Johnson, ” CNN’s Lauren Fox Organizations: CNN, GOP, FISA, Republicans, Foreign Intelligence, Reforming Intelligence, Republican, Florida GOP, Tennessee GOP, Trump, The Georgia Republican, Authority, National Defense, FBI, House Republicans, Truth Locations: Louisiana, Florida, Trump’s

☆ Marjorie Taylor Greene escalates pressure on Speaker Johnson as ouster threat looms
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

In the letter, Greene laid out a detailed case against the speaker, accusing Johnson of failing to deliver on promises he ran on and breaking legislative procedural rules. She even blamed him for jeopardizing the House Republican majority by not doing more to prevent some retiring GOP members from leaving Congress early. Part of the argument to try and dissuade Greene from moving forward with the process, according to sources, is that ousting Johnson would only deliver Democrats the House majority. “And no, electing a new Republican Speaker will not give the majority to the Democrats. That only happens if more Republicans retire early, or Republicans actually vote for Hakeem Jeffries.

Persons: Marjorie Taylor Greene, Mike Johnson’s, Johnson, Greene, Marjorie, “ Mike Johnson, ” Greene, ”, “, Johnson’s, Thomas Massie, Chip Roy, Warren Davidson, CNN’s Manu Raju, ” “ I’ve, Kevin McCarthy, she’s, that’s, Mike Johnson, Trump, Hakeem Jeffries, It’s, Donald Trump, of Justice that’s, ” CNN’s Haley Talbot, Morgan Rimmer Organizations: CNN, GOP, House GOP, Louisiana Republican, Republican, Democratic, White House, Republicans, ”, of Justice Locations: Georgia, Washington, Louisiana, Ukraine

☆ Greene keeps alive campaign to oust Johnson and warns against new push for Ukraine aid
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Manu Raju | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Johnson, presumably, could be helped by Democrats who want Ukraine aid as a price for helping the Louisiana Republican keep his job. Johnson has tried to ease tensions, saying on Fox this week of Greene: “She’s trying to send a message. But as she targets Johnson, Greene predicted her support would “continue to grow” and had “gained momentum”– though she declined to comment when asked which Republicans and how many were behind her effort. “We cannot get anyone more moderate than Mike Johnson,” Greene said. And I’m pretty sure I’m going to move the needle in that race in favor of John McGuire.”CNN’s Morgan Rimmer contributed.

Persons: Marjorie Taylor Greene, Mike Johnson, “, ”, Johnson, Greene, I’m, Vladimir Putin, Hakeem Jeffries, Bob Good, Donald Trump, ” Greene, Kevin McCarthy, Matt Gaetz, McCarthy, Gaetz, Johnson’s, wouldn’t, Mitch McConnell, he’s, Mitch McConnell’s, Nancy Pelosi, John McGuire, she’s grandstanding, Ron DeSantis, Trump, DeSantis, McGuire, ” CNN’s Morgan Rimmer Organizations: CNN —, CNN, Georgia, Ukraine, Democratic, GOP, Democrats, Louisiana Republican, House Republicans, Russian, Fox, ”, Democrat, Virginia, Republicans, White, Republican, Virginia Republican, Good, Florida Gov, Trump Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Louisiana, Florida, He’s, ”, Good’s

☆ House Speaker Mike Johnson remains undecided on best path ahead on Ukraine aid
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Lauren Fox | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —House Speaker Mike Johnson is pledging to act on Ukraine aid when lawmakers return to Washington next week, but behind the scenes the Louisiana Republican is still undecided on the best path forward and keenly aware of his narrow majority and the threat to his speakership that looms. “He’s got a gun to his head right now,” Rep. Don Bacon, a swing-district Republican, said of the speaker. Greene and Johnson are expected to talk later this week, but the Georgia Republican has remained steadfast in her opposition to Ukraine aid. Given fierce conservative opposition and a narrow margin, it’s possible Johnson could need to bring any Ukraine aid bill to the floor under a suspension of the rules. In recent days, Johnson has also floated the idea of easing natural gas exports, but it’s not clear that would do much to assuage conservative backlash against Ukraine aid.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson, “ He’s, ” Rep, Don Bacon, Churchill, ” Johnson, Mitch McConnell, –, Mike McCaul, “, Mike, Chip Roy, Matt Gaetz, I’ve, he’s, they’d, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Greene, ” Greene, ”, Brian Fitzpatrick, Fitzpatrick, It’s, John Kirby, CNN’s Haley Talbot, Manu Raju Organizations: CNN —, Louisiana Republican, ”, Republican, GOP, Republican Rep, Fox News, CNN, Georgia Republican, Democratic, House, White, National Security Communications Locations: Ukraine, Washington, Louisiana, Russia, Israel, Taiwan, Texas, Pennsylvania, Gaza

☆ It happened again: These 20 House members, mostly Republican, voted against millions in funding for their own districts
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-22 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

"Ultimately, I don't control what the final language of the total funding bill will be," said Higgins. Higgins voted against the bill, despite securing $2.3 million in federal funding for an emergency operations center at the port in Morgan City, Louisiana. He was one of 20 House members — 15 Republicans and 5 Democrats — who voted against Friday's government funding bill despite securing so-called "earmarks," known officially as congressionally directed spending. Related storiesThe other 30% was contained in a separate funding bill passed roughly two weeks ago, but that bill contained far more earmarks, especially for House members. Nonetheless, 42 House members who secured earmarks voted against it anyway, 40 of whom were Republicans.

Persons: —, Clay Higgins, couldn't, Higgins, congressionally, Pramila Jayapal, Mandel Ngan, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Mike Johnson, Pramila, Jayapal, Greene, Lauren Boebert, Brian Babin, Texas Gus Bilirakis, Florida John Curtis of, Florida John Curtis of Utah Mike Ezell, Mississippi Garrett Graves, Louisiana Michael Guest, Mississippi Diana Harshbarger, Tennessee Clay Higgins, Louisiana Trent Kelly, Mississippi Burgess Owens, Utah Mike Rogers, Alabama Chris Smith of, Alabama Chris Smith of New Jersey Greg Steube, Florida Jeff Van Drew, New Jersey Randy Weber of Organizations: Service, Louisiana Republican, Business, Pentagon, State Department, Department of Homeland Security, Democratic, Seattle Public Library, Getty, Republican, Republicans, GOP, Congressional Progressive Caucus, UN Relief and Works Agency, Louisiana, Alabama Chris Smith of New, New Locations: Louisiana, Morgan City , Louisiana, AFP, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Gaza, Washington, Colorado, Texas, Florida, Florida John Curtis of Utah, Mississippi, Utah, Alabama, Alabama Chris Smith of New Jersey, New Jersey, New Jersey Randy Weber of Texas

☆ House passes key government funding bills as lawmakers rush to beat shutdown deadline
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Clare Foran | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The House voted on Wednesday to pass a package of six government funding bills as lawmakers race the clock to get the legislation through both chambers before an end of the week shutdown deadline. The Senate must next take up the measure as lawmakers face a pair of upcoming shutdown deadlines on Friday and March 22. The finalized package of spending bills – backed by the top Democrats and Republicans in both chambers – represents a major breakthrough for lawmakers. House Republicans, who have an extremely narrow majority, passed the package on a bipartisan basis. “As soon as the House sends the appropriations bills over to the Senate.

Persons: Joe Biden, Chuck Schumer, ”, ” Schumer, Mike Johnson, Biden, “, ” Johnson, Kevin McCarthy, Schumer, It’s, Biden’s, CNN’s Morgan Rimmer Organizations: Republicans, House Republicans, Democrats, Agriculture, Commerce, Justice, Veterans Affairs, Energy, Housing, Urban Development, and Drug Administration, WIC, “, Louisiana Republican, Department of Justice, Biden, ATF, FBI, Biden Administration, Senate, Union Locations: Transportation, China, Louisiana, Biden’s State

☆ Congress passes stopgap bill to avert government shutdown
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Clare Foran | Ted | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The House and Senate both passed a stopgap bill on Thursday to avert a partial government shutdown at the end of the week. The House vote was 320 to 99 with 113 Republicans voting in favor and 97 Republicans voting against. “The appropriations process is ugly,” Johnson told reporters on Thursday. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, who will vote against the stopgap bill, swiped at the speaker over cutting a deal with Democrats on government funding. Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee, who was one of the eight Republicans who voted to oust McCarthy, said he opposed the stopgap bill and broader funding deal but was sympathetic to Johnson’s circumstances.

Persons: Joe Biden, Mike Johnson, ” Johnson, –, we’ve, We’re, Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, swiped, CNN’s Manu Raju, Rep, Byron Donalds of, it’s, ”, Kevin McCarthy, Tim Burchett, McCarthy, CNN’s Lauren Fox, Manu Raju Organizations: GOP, CNN, Louisiana Republican, Agriculture, FDA, Commerce, Justice, Science, Energy, Water, Veterans Affairs and Transportation, Housing, Urban Development, Defense, Financial Services, General Government, Homeland Security, Labor, Health, Human Services, Legislative Branch, State, Foreign Locations: Washington, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Byron Donalds of Florida, Louisiana, Tennessee

☆ House Speaker Mike Johnson faces a defining dilemma on Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

CNN —House Speaker Mike Johnson has the fate of a democracy and a people in his hands. It’s not the United States, which will survive – even if the coming general election results in another existential test for the constitutional system. Johnson, a backbencher who was the last-ditch choice to lead the mutinous House GOP majority last year, could relieve Ukraine’s agony and help ensure its survival as an independent nation in the coming days. Nothing can be guaranteed in a fractious Congress, with a House GOP majority that has rendered the United States close to ungovernable and is threatening America’s global leadership role. And history is watching whether Speaker Johnson will put that bill on the floor.

Persons: Mike Johnson, It’s, Johnson, Vladimir Putin, –, Donald Trump, speakership, Joe Biden, Kevin McCarthy, Volodymyr Zelensky, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, McCarthy, Hakeem Jeffries, Mitch McConnell, Chuck Schumer —, ”, Jake Sullivan, ” Sullivan, Putin, ” Trump, Trump, Biden, ” Rep, Byron Donalds of, ” Zelensky, “, ” Johnson, David Cameron, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Radoslaw Sikorski, ” Sikorski, CNN’s “ Fareed Zakaria, Seth Moulton of, Xi, ” Moulton, Frederick Kagan Organizations: CNN —, GOP, Pentagon, Democratic Senate, White, Trump, Republican, Democratic, Ukraine, ” Biden, Biden, Washington, Democrats, House Republicans, ”, CNN, British, ” Democratic, Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, CNN News Central, NATO, American Enterprise Institute Locations: United States, Ukraine, Russia, Kyiv, Louisiana, Western, Moscow, ungovernable, “ State, America, America’s, Byron Donalds of Florida, Zelensky, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, British, Asia, Taiwan, Japan, China, Ukrainian

CNN —There is still no clear path to avert a partial government shutdown at the end of the week, with just four days until Congress runs into a key funding deadline. Lawmakers had hoped to release the text of a bipartisan spending deal Sunday evening, but the bill has yet to be unveiled. As the clock ticks down to the deadline, Senate Democrats expressed anger and frustration Monday at the growing risk of a shutdown as many criticized House Republicans over the impasse. “Right now, the Republicans can’t seem to get themselves organized just to sign off on the basic work they’re supposed to do. In the Senate, agreement would need to be reached with the consent of all 100 senators to swiftly move any legislation before the deadline to avert a partial shutdown.

Persons: Mike Johnson, ” Sen, Elizabeth Warren of, CNN’s Manu Raju, “, Republicans can’t, Jon Tester, ”, Raju, Joe Manchin, Chuck Schumer, Johnson, Schumer, ” Johnson, Mitch McConnell, McConnell, We’re, Joe Biden, Alejandro Mayorkas, It’s, Kevin McCarthy, Manu Raju, Sam Fossum, Melanie Zanona, Haley Talbot, Betsy Klein, Tami Luhby, Priscilla Alvarez Organizations: CNN, Lawmakers, Louisiana Republican, House Republicans, Republicans, Montana Democrat, West, West Virginia Democrat, House Republican, GOP, Senate, Capitol, White, Senators, Homeland, Schumer, Agriculture, Energy, Transportation, Veterans Affairs, Urban, and Drug Administration, Justice, Commerce, Defense, Homeland Security, State, Education, Human Services, Environmental Protection Agency Locations: Louisiana, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Montana, West Virginia, New York, Ukraine, Washington, Housing

☆ Schumer invokes ancestors’ deaths at hands of Nazis in calling on Johnson to put foreign aid bill on House floor
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-25 | by ( Sam Fossum | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Sunday invoked his ancestors’ deaths at the hands of the Nazis as he called on House Speaker Mike Johnson to put a $95 billion foreign aid bill on the floor and cautioned about the dangers of catering to dictators. In a statement earlier this month, the Louisiana Republican said a standalone foreign aid bill, without anything addressing US border security, was unacceptable. Republicans also scuttled a bipartisan negotiated border security bill in the Senate. “The mandate of national security supplemental legislation was to secure America’s own border before sending additional foreign aid around the world. His comments come as the White House and Democrats continue to ramp up the pressure campaign against Johnson and House Republicans.

Persons: Chuck Schumer, Mike Johnson, Schumer, Johnson, Vladimir Putin, “, ‘, ’, ”, ” Johnson, Volodymyr Zelensky, — it’s, —, Donald Trump, who’s, Putin, ” Schumer Organizations: CNN, GOP, New York Democrat, Louisiana Republican, Republicans, Democratic, White House, House Republicans, Congress, House GOP, Republican Locations: New York, Chortkiv, Galicia, Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, Kyiv, Louisiana

House Speaker Mike Johnson has known, as so many of us have, that the Mayorkas impeachment was doomed to fail from the start. But at its core, impeachment is a political process, not a legal one. Over the past year, Congress’ use of impeachment has gone from merely political to politically gratuitous. House Republicans opened an impeachment inquiry into President Biden himself last year over only the murkiest of corruption charges. The Mayorkas impeachment is, in essence, about policy disagreements that Republicans would like to air to the public in an election year.

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