Congress’ two-week recess began after resolving the government funding issue, but the fate of U.S. aid to Ukraine remains uncertain. While the Senate approved a funding package with aid for Ukraine, Speaker Mike Johnson had not brought it up for a vote in the House, citing the need to find another approach. However, following the resolution of the government funding dispute, Johnson indicated that the House would address the aid issue. Rep. McCaul emphasized the urgency of providing aid to Ukraine, stating that Johnson is now committed to bringing the matter to the House floor after Easter.
Last week, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene filed a motion to oust Speaker Johnson, similar to the move that removed former Speaker Kevin McCarthy last year. Greene’s motion is seen as a warning to Johnson for his handling of the government funding package. The motion has not yet been scheduled for a vote, but it could be considered when the House reconvenes. While some House Republicans support aid to Ukraine, others are opposed or believe that addressing domestic border security should take precedence. The issue threatens to further complicate the situation for Johnson, especially given the dwindling Republican majority in the House.
The size of the Republican majority in the House has decreased with Rep. Mike Gallagher announcing his resignation, leaving the party with a one-seat majority. Allowing a vote on Ukraine aid could potentially secure support from Democrats to oppose a motion to oust Johnson, thus potentially saving his speakership. The removal of Speaker McCarthy last year led to a lengthy process to elect a replacement, causing disruptions in House activities. Lawmakers hope to avoid a repeat of this scenario, especially with urgent national security matters at hand.
Rep. McCaul emphasized the need for governance and bipartisanship, particularly in addressing critical national security issues. Efforts are underway within the House to bypass leadership and bring the funding package to the floor for a vote, with expectations of bipartisan support. The situation in Ukraine is dire, and providing aid is seen as crucial to supporting the country in its conflict with Russia. The outcome of the aid package and potential challenges within the House Republican conference will be closely watched in the coming weeks as Congress reconvenes after the recess.
The urgency of the situation in Ukraine and the need to address aid funding adds pressure on Speaker Johnson as he navigates internal conflicts within the House Republican conference. The possibility of ousting Johnson could lead to further disruptions and delays in House proceedings, which lawmakers are eager to avoid. It remains to be seen how the aid issue will be resolved and whether Johnson will maintain his speakership amidst growing tensions within the party. The coming weeks will be critical in determining the path forward for U.S. aid to Ukraine and the stability of House leadership.
