Democratic leaders to back House Speaker Johnson in potential motion to vacate

WASHINGTON — House Democrats would vote to table Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s attempt to remove Speaker Mike Johnson, the caucus’ leadership announced Tuesday, likely inoculating Johnson in the event Greene triggers her motion to vacate the speakership.

The proactive statement, released after the caucus’ Tuesday morning meeting, marks a departure from the wait-and-see approach that Democratic leaders have been taking.

“At this moment, upon completion of our national security work, the time has come to turn the page on this chapter of Pro-Putin Republican obstruction,” Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and his two top deputies said in a joint statement. “If (Greene) invokes the motion, it will not succeed.”

Greene, R-Ga., introduced the resolution after the House passed the final fiscal 2024 appropriations package, and is upset that the House passed additional funding for Ukraine. But she has not invoked the privilege that would force a vote on the floor.

—CQ-Roll Call

Trump refuses to answer key abortion questions in new interview

NEW YORK — Former President Donald Trump refused to answer key questions about abortion in a major new interview published Tuesday, including whether pregnant women should be monitored during pregnancies, if the abortion pill should be banned and how he will vote on Florida’s crucial abortion-rights referendum.

Seeking to walk a political tightrope, Trump told Time Magazine's Eric Cortellessa that he wouldn’t intervene even if hardline anti-abortion state officials prosecute women for ending their own pregnancies.

“The states are going to make that decision,” Trump said. “The states are going to have to be comfortable or uncomfortable, not me.” He also shrugged off the possibility that Republican-run states might monitor pregnant women’s health to assess compliance with harsh abortion bans.

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