House Speaker Mike Johnson announced Monday that the House plans to vote on four separate funding bills for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and national security this week. It comes days after Iran escalated conflict in the Middle East by launching its first direct attack on the Jewish state. .
House Republicans are pushing back on funding for war-torn countries that has been stalled for years, even as Johnson faces threats of expulsion from far-right Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia. They gathered for a meeting at Parliament House to discuss a roadmap to passing the offer. Regarding further US aid to Ukraine.
Johnson teased that the House of Commons’ Ukraine aid package was different from the Senate version passed in February, which would have allocated $60 billion to the war-torn ally.
“The underlying document will incorporate some of our innovation in terms of accountability and other metrics for financing,” he said, citing the “financing concept” as an example. .
“I think you’ll see that the text is different that way, but the overall concept is the same. It’s the same place the money goes to. And you’ll see the House’s take on that.”
“Importantly, 68% of his package is supplying our own munitions, our own weapons,” Johnson stressed, adding that Ukraine is “the most difficult part of this problem”. I admitted something.
Most Republicans walked out of the meeting in support of the plan, but some details, such as details of a fourth bill in the plan to address national security issues, were left out, given that the four bills have not yet been drafted. Then it was vague.
“I think the chairman did the right thing,” Oklahoma Rep. Kevin Hahn, chairman of the influential Republican Study Committee, told reporters after leaving the closed session.
“The Speaker is saying, ‘We need to do the right thing,’ regardless of what we do or who requests a motion to leave,” Hahn said. “He said the conference needs to be able to vote on each of these bills.”
“He’s doing the right thing,” declared moderate Rep. Don Bacon (R-Nebraska). “If he’s doing the right thing and he loses his job…I say that’s a sign of courage.”
On Saturday, the Iranian government fired more than 300 missiles and drones toward Israel, but only 99% were intercepted by a joint military effort between Israel, the United States, and Jordan, which was already passed by the Senate in February. Added urgency to $1 billion in military aid. foreign allies.
Not everyone was happy.
As she left the meeting, an animated Ms Green accused Mr Johnson of steering the Republican conference in the “wrong direction” and warned that the people were “going to be angry about this”.
Greene filed a motion to leave last month as the House takes a final vote to pass a fiscal year 2024 government spending bill, but has not yet been granted the privilege to bring it to a vote.
She was modest when asked about that possibility by reporters on Monday.
“I haven’t decided on that yet,” she said. “That’s a very serious problem.”
“I’m doing it carefully because I support the majority and I want that to happen next time. I also respect my colleagues,” she added. “A motion to vacate is a very serious matter.” [it] It should be handled responsibly, not recklessly. ”
Mr. Johnson met privately with Ms. Greene last week to hear some of her concerns and later spoke with former President Donald Trump, who did not necessarily push for replenishing aid to Ukraine, but did I supported the job.
He had previously suggested paying for a portion of Ukraine’s military aid for seized assets of the Russian oligarchy through a bill known as the “REPO for Ukrainians Act,” and lawmakers said the bill would also The government said it was considering “additional measures to counter hostile forces.””Strengthening national security,” Johnson said. added to X.
Some lawmakers told reporters that Bill 4 is about TikTok, but it was unclear how it differs from the TikTok divestment bill that passed the House last month.
Rep. Byron Donald (R-Fla.) suggested some of the border security provisions could be incorporated into a standalone bill through an amendment. Such a move could derail Democratic support.
Mr. Hahn said foreign aid would be packaged based on rules and, if passed, would require only a majority of the House of Commons to pass.
As was previously common, the 118th Congress passed many of its bills under suspension of rules, and recently failed to bring a bill reauthorizing the federal government’s foreign spying capabilities to a vote on the first try. There wasn’t.
As is known, conservative Republicans (many of whom are affiliated with the House Freedom Caucus) oppose the bill being considered in the normal order, but Mr. Hahn, a member of the caucus, He added that he looked forward to supporting the Chair’s plan.
“How we raise the money is important,” Representative Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), a member of the Freedom Caucus, told reporters after the meeting. . ”
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at a press conference Monday that President Biden would oppose standalone legislation for both countries.
“Alone, we can’t really help Israel and Ukraine,” she said, adding that it would only “delay” needed aid.
Mr. Biden, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) all said they would instead provide military aid to Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific region. Pressure is on Mr. Johnson to pass a $95 billion Senate bill that includes
“I’m not going to draw any conclusions about the process until I understand what’s going on,” Jeffries said Monday. per punch bowl news.
“This is a critical moment for America to avoid responsibility,” New York Republican Rep. Mark Molinaro told reporters Monday night, adding that passing each bill would force Biden and the Senate to act. He suggested that.
“Time and time again, the president has allowed us to look like the underdog around the world. And there are allies who want and are waiting for us to step up.”
