Greene slams Speaker Johnson's leadership as 'surrender' to Democrats

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
9 Apr 2024 20:53

Greene warned that if Speaker Johnson persists in giving into Democratic demands, the Republican party would effectively dissolve and merge with the Democrats.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., speaks before Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Rome Ga. (AP)

US Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene on Tuesday declared her refusal to accept the leadership style demonstrated by House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson, likening it to a "total surrender" to Democratic demands.

In a letter penned to her fellow Republican colleagues, Greene criticized Johnson for not adhering to his own set principles and for falling short of fulfilling the commitments he made during his campaign to become House Speaker.

"I will not tolerate this type of Republican 'leadership.' This has been a complete and total surrender to, if not complete and total lockstep with, the Democrats’ agenda that has angered our Republican base so much and given them very little reason to vote for a Republican House majority," Greene said in the letter.

Read my full letter to my colleagues detailing why I filed a motion to vacate Speaker Johnson.

(1/2) https://t.co/CByvpRo8My pic.twitter.com/DWQck3WpoZ
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) April 9, 2024

As the House of Representatives is set to reconvene, Greene expects a vote to be held on allocating an additional $60 billion in assistance for Ukraine. Last September, Speaker Johnson was one of the many Republicans who opposed providing $300 million in aid to Ukraine. However, Greene remarked that Johnson's priorities have now changed as he asserts that securing funding for Ukraine is of utmost importance.

The congresswoman also voiced apprehension regarding Johnson's intentions to introduce a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) bill in the House of Representatives, which she contends would permit "mass surveillance" of US citizens.

Greene warned that if Johnson persisted in this direction, the Republican party would effectively dissolve and merge with the Democrats, leading to what she described as a "Uniparty," resulting from self-inflicted destruction.

In March, Punchbowl reported that Greene submitted a petition to remove Johnson from his leadership position after Johnson supported $1.2 trillion federal budget measure over opposition from many House Republicans.

In February, the Senate passed a $95 billion foreign aid bill, which includes approximately $60 billion designated for Ukraine. However, in the House of Representatives, Johnson delayed its progress to instead focus on budget legislation and exploring alternative avenues for Ukraine funding.

Johnson recently announced that the House of Representatives will address the national security supplemental package immediately after Congress returns from recess on April 9. Some innovations are expected to be unveiled in the package.