Speaker Mike Johnson is facing intense pressure from hardliners within his party as he moves forward with plans to put foreign aid bills, including funding for Ukraine, on the House floor. Despite significant pushback, Johnson announced that the House will vote on these bills on Saturday evening.
The decision to include funding for Ukraine comes after a meeting with former President Donald Trump, who advocated for structuring foreign aid as loans. This move has garnered support from Democrats but has caused outrage among conservative Republicans.
Johnson’s decision to lump together aid for Israel and Ukraine into one package has further fueled dissent within his party. Members of the House Freedom Caucus and other far-right Republicans have criticized Johnson for not prioritizing border security measures in the aid package.
The pressure on Johnson has escalated to the point where some Republicans are openly calling for his ouster. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a vocal critic of Johnson, accused him of relying on Democrats to pass bills and being out of touch with the Republican base.
With Republicans holding a slim majority in the House, Johnson may need Democratic support to pass the aid package and potentially save his speakership. Democrats are waiting to see if the package includes humanitarian aid for conflict zones before committing to helping pass the bills.
President Joe Biden has urged the House to pass urgent aid for Ukraine and Israel, emphasizing the importance of supporting allies in times of need. The situation in Ukraine is becoming more precarious, with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warning of shifting dynamics on the battlefield.
As the pressure mounts on Johnson, the House is facing the possibility of chaos if he is ousted, with legislative progress coming to a halt until a new speaker is elected. The future of Johnson’s speakership remains uncertain as the political drama unfolds in Washington.