On Saturday, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) and Democratic lawmakers painted a surreal scene on the House floor as the House passed a $61 billion bill to advance the Ukraine war.
As the inevitable outcome neared, Democrats created dozens of miniature Ukrainian flags, hoisted them and cheered “Ukraine!” Joyfully.
Once the vote was over, Mr. Johnson approached the speaker and received the loudest applause of the day, and perhaps this entire Congress, from Democrats.
Mr. Johnson warned Democrats that “waving the flag in the chamber is a violation of decorum,” but the Democrats paid little attention.
Today’s vote was a fait accompli, but for months it seemed impossible. Prime Minister Johnson had repeatedly promised that he would never consider foreign aid without first securing America’s own borders.
Last week’s Iranian missile attack on Israel gave Prime Minister Johnson room to maneuver into the border area. The bipartisan urgency to help Israel provided the legislative vehicle for introducing the border security bill. Choosing an election year would have been difficult for Democrats.
It was the ultimate means of advancing either border security or Ukraine, or, if Johnson tried, both.
The flag Democrats chose to wave determined Johnson’s choice.
Bradley Jay is Breitbart News’ Capitol Hill correspondent. Follow him on X/Twitter. @BradleyAJay.
