Republican chair: Johnson’s firing could give Democrats the power to ‘set the world on fire’

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) warned Sunday that firing House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) could embolden Democrats amid international turmoil. .

Johnson’s removal from office is on the table after Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) filed a motion Friday to vacate her chair, but this is not a procedural move. That could lead to a vote to remove Johnson from office. He has been Speaker of the House since October, replacing ousted former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).

“it is, [Rep.] matt gates [R-Fla.]The architect of McCarthy’s ouster says this is a big mistake because it could actually disrupt the balance of power. [Rep.] Hakeem Jeffries [D-N.Y.],” McCall said in a Sunday interview on CBS News’ “Face the Nation.”

Mr. Gaetz filed a motion to remove Mr. McCarthy, which led to his removal.

McCaul on Sunday emphasized the importance of Congress’ ability to govern in the event of various international conflicts overseas.

“And with the world burning like this, we need to govern. And that’s not just for Republicans, it’s getting things done for the country in a bipartisan way,” he said. Ta. “It’s a national security interest of the United States. It’s not just Ukraine. It’s Israel and the Indo-Pacific as well.”

Gaetz was one of several Republicans who warned that such a move could cause Democratic leaders to leave the House.

“When I surrendered my last seat, I promised the country that I would not become the Democratic Party chairman. … I failed to deliver on that promise again today,” Gaetz told reporters last week.

Greene last week suggested she would not immediately trigger a vote on Johnson’s removal, calling the motion “basically a warning.” She stressed that she could force a referendum on his position in the House of Commons at a later date.

Several House Democrats signaled last week that they would be willing to help rescue Mr. Johnson from a motion to resign, especially if he moves to help Ukraine.

Mr McCaul said on Sunday that Johnson was committed to getting the House of Commons to vote in favor of the Ukraine funding some time after Easter.

“The president’s commitment is to introduce the bill after Easter, and we are working on this bill,” he said, later stressing that he wanted to pass it “as soon as possible.”

McCall, who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has been a vocal supporter of authorizing additional funding for Ukraine in its fight against Russia. Funding for the beleaguered country has been stalled for more than a year amid deep divisions in Congress.

“I think the situation in Ukraine is dire. …If we lose in Ukraine, like we did in Afghanistan, and then we lose to Putin, let him know and take over Ukraine and Moldova and Georgia and take over our country like we did in Afghanistan. Abandoning our allies — does that make us weaker or stronger? I think we’re weaker,” McCall said Sunday.

Asked why there was a lack of urgency in approving further aid to Ukraine, Mr McCall said Johnson was in a “difficult position”.

“He understands that. He’s in a very difficult position, and on this motion to vacate the chair, I believe he’s committed because he understands national security. And he has asked me, the House Intelligence Service Director, for advice on this matter, and he knows how important this is,” McCall said.