Democrats say they will save Speaker Mike Johnson's job if Republicans try to oust him

(30 Apr 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Washington, DC - 30 April 2024
1. Rep. Pete Aguilar walks into House Press Gallery
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-California:
"First of all, I would say that none of the discussion that we had in caucus was about saving Mike Johnson. The underlying motion to vacate was not discussed. The motion to table was, and there is a distinction there. And it's not lost on me the role that Mike Johnson played when the lead up to January 6th. We saw that in our work on the January 6th committee. And, it has not been forgotten by our members. However, we want to turn the page. We don't want to turn the clock back and let Marjorie Taylor Greene dictate the schedule and the calendar of what's ahead. We want to turn the page and focus on the pressing issues that everyday Americans care about. And spending time on this, on, just doesn't make sense to us."
++BLACK BETWEEN SOUNDBITES++
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-California:
"First of all, as the leader said this morning, we're not asking individuals to take a position that is opposed to their, to their values. They are, each member is going to vote their district and their and their conscience, guided by the Constitution. There may be a procedural vote that would table her (Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's) proposal that she could bring forward. On that motion to table, we would be inclined and many members indicated that they would be as well, to table the motion and to put this behind us and to move on. There's important legislative business ahead. That should be the focus, for the American people."
++BLACK BETWEEN SOUNDBITES++
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House:
"(Reporter question: House Democratic leaders have just announced that they would vote to table a motion to vacate, effectively saving your job for you. What's your reaction to that?)
First I've heard of it. Look, I have to, I have to do my job. We have to do what we believe to be the right thing. What the country, needs right now is a functioning Congress. They need a Congress that works well, works together, and does not hamper its own ability to solve these problems. And so we saw what happened with the motion to vacate the last time. Congress was closed for three weeks. No one can afford for that to happen. And, you know, so we need, we need people who are, who are serious about the job here to continue to do that job and get it done. So, you know, I have to, I have to do what I believe is right every day and let the chips fall where they may. You've heard me say that many times and we'll continue."
++BLACK BETWEEN SOUNDBITES++
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House:
"No, no, I have, was laser focused on getting the supplemental done. Now, I've had colleagues from both parties come up to me on the floor, of course, and say we won't stand for this. We're not going to shut the government down and all that, shut the House down. And, of course, I you know, I've acknowledged that, but I've not requested assistance from anyone. I've not, I've not focused on that at all. I focused on getting the job done and getting the legislation passed, and that's what...
(Reporter: No deals have been made?)
No, there's no deals at all. None at all.
(Reporter: Mr. Speaker, would you be comfortable serving as speaker by having the support of Democrats and effectively keeping your job because of Democratic support."
++ENDS ON A SOUNDBITE++
STORYLINE:
But Democratic leaders took that possibility off the table.
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[@user-dq9ot4zo7p]

Great move Democrats 😅. I rest my case.

[@markgazel2845]

TO THE DEMOCRAT OFFICIALS SAVE THE BOARDERS CRISIS.

[@TheDodudodo]

Beaucoup de Dignité,Monsieur’Soyez remercie ! 2:09

[@DavidBauer-iv9yw]

Things that makes sense to spend money on the border to close it all of it

[@bryanbui593]

You didn't do your job, Mini Mike!

[@NathGad]

You're delusional

[@johnkellet9245]

U

[@georged4597]

This guy has to go .

[@KathleenHolland-nk8nk]

No

[@normanmitchell4523]

Give us somebody we can vote on not Biden or Marjorie. Yeah, I don’t give us much of a choice. He ain’t nothing but a criminal.

[@user-jn1wz7om2r]

If Democrsts back Johnson he is a Democrat can Johnson i agree with Greene he needs to be removed .

[@KathleenHolland-nk8nk]

NO

[@markgazel2845]

TO THE DEMOCRAT OFFICIALS SAVE THE BOARDERS CRISIS.