The House is holding an unusual Saturday vote to consider Speaker Mike Johnson’s foreign aid plan, prompting calls by a small group of Republican rebels to oust him.
Three of the four bills provide funding to Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific region, totaling about $95 billion. The fourth bill includes national security priorities such as the House’s recently passed crackdown on TikTok ownership and the REPO Act, which would liquidate seized Russian assets and give the funds to Ukraine. .
Each bill is expected to receive a final vote later this afternoon, after lawmakers consider amendments to the Israel bill that House leadership deemed necessary to maintain the status quo.
Among the amendments being considered: Full funding from the $60 billion Ukraine aid bill by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), one of the House Republicans’ most ardent foreign aid skeptics. It also includes an amendment to remove the . Although it is unlikely to pass, it could receive significant support from Republicans as a growing number of right-wing lawmakers oppose U.S. involvement in the war between Kiev and Moscow.
Democrats save Johnson’s $95 billion foreign aid plan from Republican insurgent blockade
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) faces increasing threats to his leadership role over his push for foreign aid. (Getty Images)
Mr. Johnson’s handling of foreign aid and government spending prompted Mr. Green to introduce a resolution (known as a motion to vacate the chair) calling for a vote to remove Mr. Johnson from power. Since he revealed details of his plan earlier this week, two more Republicans have joined him: Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.). — formally supported her efforts.
Foreign aid turned out to be one of the most politically difficult battles faced by Johnson during his short tenure as Chancellor. As with the most complex issues, he faces a two-front operation between the Democratic-controlled Senate and White House and outspoken conservatives in his own chamber, namely the House Freedom Caucus and its allies. is caught up in
The former group has been pressuring Johnson to take up the Senate’s $95 billion aid package as a single item, while the latter opposes foreign aid without spending on offsets or border security measures. Ta.
Johnson’s $95 billion foreign aid plan receives key House vote after Democrats help push it forward
In a bid to allay Republican border concerns, Johnson also plans to vote on a border security and immigration bill on Saturday, but it is unlikely to pass. Republican rebels blasted the move as a pointless show, claiming Johnson knew he had no chance of winning the Senate unless he partnered with foreign aid.
The foreign aid proposal passed a key procedural hurdle known as a rules vote Friday morning, allowing the final bill to be debated and passed.
Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) on Friday joined the movement to oust Johnson after his foreign aid plan passed a procedural hurdle. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Votes on proposed rules have traditionally been bipartisan, with lawmakers from both parties following partisan guidance and allowing bills to come to a vote even if they disagree with their content.
But members of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus have intentionally sunk Republican rule votes multiple times this Congress in protest of House Republican leadership’s decisions.
In a surprising turn of events rarely seen in modern American politics, Democrats jumped to the rescue of the foreign aid bill, providing more than enough support to counter 55 Republican defectors. This further angered Johnson’s right-wing critics.
Tensions rise on the ground as conservatives clash with Johnson over $95 billion foreign aid plan
Not only did Democrats vote in favor of the rule, they supported it more than Republicans. There were 165 “yes” votes for Democrats and 151 for Republicans, for a total difference of 316 to 94.
When asked about overwhelming Democratic support, former House Majority Leader Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) told reporters: “We agree with the purpose.” “Democrats are going to continue to save the country, and when the speaker proposes something that we think is good for the country, we’re not going to unilaterally oppose it just because it happens to be a Republican proposal. ”
Former House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said he helped get the plan past the procedural hurdles because Democrats “agreed with the purpose.” (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc, via Getty Images)
House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good (R-Va.) accused Johnson of dividing the Republican Party, but distanced himself from calls for his ouster.
“Funding for Ukraine divides the country. It deeply divides Republicans and, as evidenced just today with today’s vote, it divides the Republican conference. So we believe that Democrats will do what they want to do. should not be the starting point,” Good said. He said.
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Rep. Jake Elsey (R-Texas), one of the House Republican national security hawks, said he was “absolutely” relieved the bill moved forward Friday, but said he was “confident” it would happen. Stated.
Unlike colleagues who have criticized the show’s bipartisan stance, Elsey said he was happy to see Democrats break the norm and support the rule.
“I think this is a good thing for us right now, for our national security, and for our friends and allies around the world to ensure that we are a stable partner and that we are bipartisan.” “In times like these, Americans come together,” he said.
