'She gets it': Internet weighs in as AOC says Democrats won't back Speaker Johnson 'for free'

WASHINGTON, DC: Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) insisted on Sunday, March 24 that Democratic support for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La) amid the looming threat of his ousting would not come "for free."

The declaration follows Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene's (R-Ga) motion to vacate the speakership, escalating tensions within the House.

Upholding Democratic principles in exchange for support

Ocasio-Cortez stressed that any backing for Johnson would necessitate substantial concessions, highlighting core Democratic values such as women's rights, bodily autonomy, and electoral integrity.

“I think that Democrats, we work as a team. I am not inclined to vote for Speaker Johnson. I am not inclined to vote for an individual — for speaker — who doesn’t believe in women’s rights, doesn’t believe in bodily autonomy, who has supported overturning a presidential election,” Ocasio-Cortez said on CNN’s 'State of the Union.'

“My vote would most likely be for a Speaker [Hakeem] Jeffries [D-NY], which becomes an increasingly likely reality day after day as Republicans 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 continued.

"I don't think we do that out of sympathy for Republicans. I think the realities of governance are there, we want to make sure that governance continues and that responsible governance continues and that tends to happen under a Democratic majority," the New York congresswoman said.

Greene's motion to oust Johnson, catalyzed by discontent among House conservatives following a bipartisan spending package, injected fresh turmoil into the House dynamics.

While Greene refrained from an immediate vote, hinting at future deliberations, the specter of Johnson's potential removal underscores the fragile balance within the House.

With the recent resignation of Representative Ken Buck (R-Colo), the Republican majority faces a dwindling margin, raising the stakes for Johnson's survival.

Democratic intervention could prove decisive, particularly as Johnson's margin for defection narrows.

However, Ocasio-Cortez believes Democratic support for Johnson shouldn't come from a place 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 stated.

The aftermath of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy's ousting looms large, prompting Democrats to tread cautiously, per The Hill.

Representative Matt Gaetz (R-Fla), a central figure in McCarthy's removal, warned of the risk of a Democratic speaker should Johnson falter.

"We'd have Republicans cross over. I worry that we've got Republicans who would vote for [House Minority Leader] Hakeem Jeffries at this point. I really do. I take no joy in saying that. But you can only vacate the speaker if you know that the party leadership won't change hands. I knew that with certainty last time. I don't know it with certainty this time," he said.

In response to Ocasio-Cortez's assertion, Raj Shah, a spokesperson for Johnson, reiterated the Speaker's commitment to governance while acknowledging members' concerns.

"Speaker Johnson always listens to the concerns of members but is focused on governing. He will continue to push conservative legislation that secures our border, strengthens our national defense, and demonstrates how we'll grow our majority," Shah said.

Regardless, the challenge of navigating intra-party tensions while advancing conservative legislation remains palpable.

Social media reactions

Social media reverberated with reactions to Ocasio-Cortez's stance, with many echoing her call for substantive concessions in exchange for Democratic support.

"Right on. She gets it," one user posted on X.

"AOC puts it perfectly. If Democrats are to save Mike Johnson there has to be a price. One thing I can think of is advancing Ukraine aid which is way overdue," another user wrote.

"And she’s right! You don’t give something for nothing, not in this congress. He wants Dem votes to keep his speakership, he needs to give something. Ukraine aid first and foremost," someone else offered. [sic]

"The keywords are 'for free'. If Johnson wants to keep the gavel until November, he's gonna have to do some things that will piss off his caucus, but help the country," another commented.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.