In a significant development, Rep. Paul Gosar, a Republican lawmaker from Arizona, has thrown his support behind the effort to remove Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, from his position. The move comes as Speaker Johnson's foreign aid plan faced a crucial procedural vote on the House floor, surviving with more Democratic votes than Republican.

Rep. Gosar criticized House GOP leaders for failing to link the foreign aid proposal, particularly the bill allocating funds to Ukraine, with measures pertaining to U.S. border security. Like other conservative skeptics of foreign aid, he expressed frustration and voted against the plan, which ultimately prevented it from advancing to final passage.

Gosar issued a statement condemning the Speaker's direction, stating that instead of securing the southern border and addressing the issue of illegal immigration, the House is on the verge of sending $61 billion to engage in an "endless and purposeless war in Ukraine." He added that the Speaker should prioritize America's interests instead of yielding to the demands of warmongers, neo-conservatives, and the military industrial complex.

The Arizona representative joined forces with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia, who previously filed a resolution, known as a motion to vacate, expressing dissatisfaction with Speaker Johnson's handling of foreign aid and government spending. If the resolution is filed as "privileged," it could trigger a House-wide vote on removing the Speaker. Greene confirmed Rep. Gosar's support for her motion and thanked him on social media.

While House leaders are not obligated to put the resolution up for a vote unless it is filed as "privileged," Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Kentucky, also joined Greene's resolution earlier this week. Massie made it clear that if Speaker Johnson did not step aside following the House floor vote on the foreign aid plan, he would call for his ouster.

Speaker Johnson has faced significant opposition from the conservative wing of his conference over his foreign aid plan, particularly the allocation of $60 billion to Ukraine, which has become a contentious topic within the GOP. Critics, including foreign aid skeptics, have also expressed concerns about providing humanitarian aid to Gaza as part of the package, although it was necessary to secure Democratic support. Notably, the package excludes funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), an agency alleged to have ties to Hamas.

Conservative rebels have also strongly objected to House GOP leaders' decision to combine the four bills into one comprehensive package. They argue that this effectively replicates the $95 billion foreign aid package passed by the Democrat-majority chamber earlier this year, a package House Republicans oppose. Speaker Johnson, however, argued that combining the bills ensures the Israel portion is not neglected, given the current division among Democrats on the matter.

In the end, more Democrats supported advancing the foreign aid package to a final vote, with 165 votes in favor compared to 151 from Republicans. Rep. Eli Crane, R-Arizona, acknowledged the sentiment behind the threats to oust Speaker Johnson, emphasizing the importance of fighting for the American people's expectations. However, House Freedom Caucus Chairman Rep. Bob Good, R-Virginia, who previously supported the ouster of Johnson's predecessor, cautioned against removing another leader at this time, citing the proximity to the upcoming election and the narrow margin in the House.

As the debate over foreign aid and the Speaker's future continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how many more lawmakers will join the movement to remove Speaker Johnson from his position. The upcoming vote on the motion to vacate, if filed as "privileged," will undoubtedly be a crucial moment for the future of leadership in the House.