Several Democrats, who are colleagues of the progressive New Yorker, hinted at a potential willingness to aid Speaker Johnson against the motion to vacate, particularly if he advances Ukraine aid. However, Ocasio-Cortez made it clear that her support would come at a cost.
"We Democrats operate as a team. I am not inclined to vote for Speaker Johnson. I am not inclined to vote for a person for the Speaker's position who does not believe in women's rights, does not believe in bodily autonomy, and who has supported the overturning of a presidential election," Ocasio-Cortez stated on CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday.
WATCH: SPEAKER JOHNSON CALLS ON COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT TO RESIGN
March 25, 2024
She further indicated that her vote would likely go to Speaker Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), a possibility that seems to be growing more likely each day as Republicans continue to pursue further midterm resignations. "But I think, for those of us and for any Democrat inclined, I don't think we do that for free," she added.
WATCH GREAT ANALYSIS: THE ABSURDITY OF ANTI-ISRAEL PROTESTS
The move to oust Johnson was initiated by Greene following the House's approval of a spending package to prevent a partial government shutdown, mere hours before the deadline on Friday night. The package, which received bipartisan support, sparked outrage among House conservatives.
REPUBLICAN SENATORS EXPOSE DARK SIDE OF 'FOOD DELIVERY' ECONOMICS
Greene, last week, suggested that she would not immediately instigate a vote to remove Johnson, describing the motion as "essentially a warning." She also mentioned the possibility of forcing a referendum on his position in the House in the future.
AMERICA'S BIRTHRATE CONTINUES TO PLUMMET - ARE MILLENNIALS TRADING DIAPERS FOR DEGREES?
Several House Democrats last week hinted at the possibility of helping Johnson against the motion to oust him, although some suggested that it would depend on his handling of Ukraine aid.
The threat of another Speaker's removal comes just a few months after the former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif) — who has since retired from Congress — was expelled from the position. The chaos that ensued for nearly three weeks following McCarthy's removal has made some Democrats more open to preventing a recurrence.
ARE THERE MORE? 'GILGO BEACH' MURDERS CASE EXPANDS WITH NEW SEARCH
However, Ocasio-Cortez argued that any Democratic support for Johnson should not be borne out of "sympathy" for the Republican conference.
"I don't think we do that out of sympathy for Republicans. I think the realities of governance is there, we want to make sure that governance continues and that responsible governance continues and that tends to happen under a Democratic majority," she said on Sunday.
Discover alternative ideas that will make you think
Engage in mind bending debate
Earn points, rise in rank, have fun
