Speaker Mike Johnson is facing a political minefield as he tries to advance a $95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan in the face of opposition from his own party. The situation has been made even more challenging by concessions to the far right that he inherited from his predecessor, former Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
Johnson finds himself having to rely heavily on Democrats to push the aid bill through, as concessions made by McCarthy have limited his options within his own party. Ultraconservatives are pushing for stringent anti-immigration measures to be tied to the foreign aid package, but Johnson is facing resistance from within his own party.
The tension came to a head on the House floor, with hard-right lawmakers urging Johnson to include anti-immigration measures in the aid bill. Johnson pushed back, stating that he did not have enough Republican support for such measures.
The situation escalated further when three ultraconservatives on the House Rules Committee signaled their intention to block Johnson’s attempts to bring the foreign aid bill to the floor. This move would force Johnson to rely on Democratic votes in the committee to move the legislation forward.
The standoff highlights the deep divisions within the Republican Party and the challenges Johnson faces in navigating the political landscape to advance crucial legislation. As the drama unfolds, Johnson remains determined to do his job, even if it means relying on Democrats to save his position and push the aid package through.