Moscowitz says Johnson ouster would ‘only embolden’ China, Russia, Iran

Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) on Sunday ripped into Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.)’s threat to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), arguing such a move would “only embolden” foreign adversaries including China, Russia and Iran.

“What Marjorie Taylor Greene and what [Rep.] Thomas Massie [R-Ky.] and what Paul Gosar [R-Ariz.] are trying to accomplish by removing the Speaker of the House in this very moment, after Oct. 7, would only embolden China, it would only embolden Russia, it would only embolden Iran,” Moskowitz said during an interview on “Fox News Sunday.”

Greene introduced a motion-to-vacate Johnson’s Speakership last month over his handling of Ukraine aid and government spending and has since gained the support of Massie and Gosar, who said last week they would back the ouster. The threat of the ouster remains unclear as Greene has yet to force it to the floor for a vote or laid out what might prompt her to do so.”

“Fox News Sunday” anchor Shannon Bream then asked Moskowitz for his response to Greene’s criticism of further Ukraine aid without action at the U.S.-southern border following the House’s passage of a massive foreign aid bill this weekend.

“She’s not a serious legislator, quite frankly. That’s why I think the way we’ve been treating her now is she is Putin’s special envoy to Congress,” he continued. “The idea that she would criticize anybody else that somehow we’re not respecting America… the way you disrespect America, is not by standing by our allies, not by strengthening us.”

The House, in a bipartisan vote on Saturday, passed the foreign aid package through four separate votes following months of stalemate and division among lawmakers. It includes about $61 billion for Ukraine, $26 billion for Israel and global humanitarian aid, $8 billion for allies in the Indo-Pacific and a package of other national security measures, including a potential ban on the TikTok app.

The package now goes to the Senate, which is expected to pass it in the middle of the week.

In remarks to reporters following the bill’s passage, Greene said, “This is the sellout of America today. When we had members of Congress in there waving the Ukrainian flag on the United States House of Representatives floor while we’re doing nothing to secure our border, I think every American in this country should be furious.”

Greene was referencing a group of lawmakers who held Ukranian flags on the House floor on Saturday.

Greene and Moskowitz have had ongoing tensions in recent months, including last week, when he first quipped, he was naming Greene as Putin’s envoy for her frequent embrace of pro-Russia misinformation and opposition to foreign aid.

The Hill reached out to Greene’s office for further comment.

This story was updated at 5:57 p.m. on April 22.