GOP House speaker keeps his job for now, but Democrats hold the cards

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s attempt to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson Wednesday was a  resounding failure, but her stunt did make something strikingly clear: Johnson’s leadership among Republicans is tenuous, and Democrats have all the power when it comes to protecting him. They were quick to remind him of that.

Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters after the vote to table the motion that he hasn’t considered whether to back Johnson up again. 

"Haven't given it a thought," he said. "I think it will warrant another discussion" with the Democratic conference, he added.

Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland said Wednesday’s vote in support of Johnson was a "one-shot deal” and that Democrats would "reevaluate it in terms of the political context at that moment."

Rep. Jim McGovern, a Massachusetts Democrat, was more blunt.

"I voted to table, but I'm not a cheap date,” he told Axios. “So we will revisit this again if we have to."