The House on Saturday was set to pass a $95 billion foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, with Speaker Mike Johnson risking his job to move the long-stalled legislation forward against opposition from hardliners within his own party. The aid for each country was to be voted on separately, along with another bill containing measures that could lead to a nationwide ban of TikTok and new sanctions on Iran. Mr. Johnson arranged the bills to attract different coalitions of support and prevent opposition to one element from preventing the entire package’s passage.
The legislation includes $60 billion for Ukraine, $26 billion for Israel, and $8 billion for the Indo-Pacific region, along with humanitarian aid for civilians in conflict zones. The bill would require repayment of $10 billion in economic assistance from Ukraine, a stipulation supported by former President Donald Trump. However, there is an option for the president to forgive these loans starting in 2026. The Senate is expected to take up the legislation quickly after passage in the House.
While there is broad bipartisan support in Congress for aiding Ukraine against Russian forces, Mr. Johnson faced political risks from the anti-interventionist faction within his party. He defied this wing and relied on Democrats to pass the legislation. The speaker cited concerns about the potential consequences of a Russian victory in Ukraine, emphasizing the need to support Kyiv to prevent further aggression by President Putin.
Republicans had previously opposed additional aid for Ukraine, demanding stringent anti-immigration measures in exchange. Mr. Johnson’s decision to push for aid to Kyiv despite threats of removal from his leadership position angered ultraconservative members of his party, leading to a push to oust him from the speakership. Despite Republican opposition, Democrats helped bring the aid package to the floor for a vote.
The bill under consideration includes provisions to sell off frozen Russian assets to fund the Ukrainian war effort, impose sanctions on Iranian and Russian officials, and restrict U.S. technology exports related to Iranian drones. Lawmakers were also expected to vote on amendments, including attempts by Republicans to strip or limit funding for Ukraine, which were predicted to fail. The legislation represented a crucial response to the conflict in Ukraine and broader geopolitical challenges.
Mr. Johnson’s efforts to pass the foreign aid package highlighted divisions within the Republican Party over foreign policy priorities and border security. The Speaker’s willingness to advance the aid despite internal opposition underscored his commitment to supporting Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. The legislation’s passage in the House and likely approval in the Senate represented a significant step in addressing the crisis in Ukraine and supporting key U.S. allies in the region.
