Two House Democrats Save Speaker Johnson

Reps. Jared Golden of Maine and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington voted with Republicans Tuesday to advance a House procedural rule, allowing Speaker Mike Johnson’s agenda to move forward despite GOP defections. The rule passed 210-208 after five Republicans opposed it, meaning the measure would have failed without the two Democrats’ votes. The package set up debate on several GOP-backed bills, including a nonbinding resolution disavowing socialism and calling for enactment of President Trump’s election security bill. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said party leaders are weighing a “serious response” to the break with leadership.