Skip to main content
Tags: house speaker | mike johnson | alejandro mayorkas | impeachment

Speaker Johnson Vows 2nd Mayorkas Vote, Defends Leadership

By    |   Wednesday, 07 February 2024 05:24 PM EST

House Republicans were licking their wounds after votes Tuesday to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and provide aid to Israel were rejected.

But Speaker Mike Johnson said Wednesday there will be another vote to impeach Mayorkas, likely next week, and he also hit back at those who are questioning his leadership.

"Last night was a setback, but democracy is messy," Johnson told a press gaggle about the failed votes.

The impeachment vote saw four Republicans join with Democrats to defeat the resolution 216-214. (One of the GOP no votes was procedural to request another impeachment vote.) The Israeli aid legislation failed 250-180, 40 votes short of the two-thirds majority needed to advance the measure.

"We live in a time of divided government," Johnson said. "We have a razor-thin margin here and every vote counts. … We have a duty and a responsibility to take care of this issue. We have to hold the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security accountable. Mayorkas needs to be held accountable. The Biden administration needs to be held accountable.

"We will pass those articles of impeachment. We'll do it on the next round."

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., posted Wednesday morning on X that ousting Johnson's predecessor, Kevin McCarthy, as speaker was an "unmitigated disaster" for Republicans.

"All work on separate spending bills has ceased," Massie wrote. "Spending reductions have been traded for spending increases. Warrantless spying has been temporarily extended. Our majority has shrunk."

The House majority has shrunk to 219-212 because three Republicans, including McCarthy, resigned and another, George Santos, was expelled.

Johnson agreed the ouster of McCarthy "was a mess" but he defended his leadership.

"We're cleaning it up and Massie is one of my dear friends and colleagues," Johnson said. "I don't think this is a reflection on the leader, it's a reflection on the body itself, a place where we've come in this country. Look, the nation is divided; we lament that. The difference is the chasm between the two parties right now is wider than it's ever been. … What we need to do in a time like this, a time of great challenge, is lead on principle, and that's what we're doing.

"The process is messy sometimes, but the job will be done and we're going to govern this country. It's the greatest country in the history of the world. The entire world is counting upon us. We have steady hands at the wheel. We'll get through it. Everybody take a deep breath. It's a long game. We're going to get the job done."

Michael Katz

Michael Katz is a Newsmax reporter with more than 30 years of experience reporting and editing on news, culture, and politics.

© 2024 Newsmax. All rights reserved.


Newsfront
House Republicans were licking their wounds after votes Tuesday to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and provide aid to Israel were rejected.
house speaker, mike johnson, alejandro mayorkas, impeachment
427
2024-24-07
Wednesday, 07 February 2024 05:24 PM
Newsmax Media, Inc.

Sign up for Newsmax’s Daily Newsletter

Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox.

(Optional for Local News)
Privacy: We never share your email address.
Join the Newsmax Community
Read and Post Comments
Please review Community Guidelines before posting a comment.
 
TOP

Interest-Based Advertising | Do not sell or share my personal information

Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. American. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc.

NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Download the NewsmaxTV App
Get the NewsmaxTV App for iOS Get the NewsmaxTV App for Android Scan QR code to get the NewsmaxTV App
NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved