House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing a tough decision that could cost him his job as he pushes forward with a vote on a funding package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. The Republican speaker has been under pressure from populist conservatives in the House who are unhappy with his decision to support aid for Kyiv.
Despite the backlash, Johnson has decided to move forward with the aid package, which includes structuring some of the aid for Ukraine as loans with greater oversight. This decision has angered some members of his own party, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Rep. Thomas Massie, who are calling for his resignation.
In an effort to appease conservatives, Johnson has also promised a separate vote on a border security package, but this move has been criticized as insufficient by some GOP lawmakers. The House Freedom Caucus has accused Johnson of surrendering the opportunity to combat the border crisis.
Despite the internal strife within the Republican Party, Johnson is forging ahead with his plan to hold separate votes on the aid packages for Ukraine, Israel, and allies in the Indo-Pacific. Democrats have demanded that the aid bill align closely with a $95 billion foreign aid package passed by the Senate in February.
As the House prepares to vote on the aid package, lawmakers are emphasizing the importance of providing funding for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. The House Intelligence Committee has stressed the critical situation on the ground in Ukraine and the need for immediate action.
With tensions running high in the House, Johnson’s future as speaker hangs in the balance as he navigates the complex political landscape surrounding foreign aid and national security.