House Speaker Mike Johnson introduced three bills aimed at providing assistance to Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan, facing pressure to act within his divided party. Johnson is navigating political and global challenges with a slim majority while also dealing with a potential threat to his leadership from Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie. The bills include funding for Ukraine, which is a contentious issue within the GOP due to differing perspectives on foreign aid and military assistance.
Johnson aims to push these bills to a vote on Saturday, emphasizing their importance for America’s national security and allies in various regions. The legislation includes measures such as a loan structure for aid, enhanced strategy, and accountability. In addition to funding for foreign allies, there are additional bills related to seizing Russian assets, banning TikTok unless divested from its China-based owner, and imposing sanctions on Russia, China, and Iran. Johnson also plans to introduce a border security bill alongside these measures.
However, there was swift conservative backlash to the bills, with many Republicans criticizing the lack of direct connection between the border security proposals and the Ukraine funding. Some lawmakers expressed opposition to providing aid to Ukraine, questioning the necessity of the assistance or expressing confidence in the ability of former President Donald Trump to resolve the situation. The conservative pushback highlights the division within the party on foreign policy and national security matters.
House Democrats have been urging Johnson to consider a Senate-passed foreign aid package as a more optimal path to getting bills on President Biden’s desk. They have initiated a “discharge petition” to bypass Johnson and force a vote on that legislation, requiring support from both Democrats and some Republicans to pass. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has also ramped up pressure on House Republicans to act in support of Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Meanwhile, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has been threatening to bring a motion to vacate the speaker’s chair, potentially leading to Johnson’s removal with a simple majority vote. However, the outcome of such a motion remains uncertain, as many conservatives and some Democrats have not indicated support for ousting Johnson. Some lawmakers believe that without significant backing, such a move could damage Johnson’s standing within the GOP and make him less effective as a leader. Johnson remains steadfast in his position, dismissing the threat to his leadership and focusing on his responsibilities as House Speaker.
