Politics
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Saturday crushed a putsch by far-right Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Republican rebels — pushing through a $95.3 billion aid package that funds the fight against Russia, the defense of Israel and resistance against China.
Lawmakers in a rare bipartisan effort overwhelmingly approved the four-bill package, including one measure providing $60.8 billion for Ukraine.
About 80% of that money will go toward replenishing supplies of US-made weapons and ammunition and other direct military assistance.
Another $9.5 billion is in the form of a forgivable loan.
The bill passed 311-112 with all “nay” votes coming from Republicans, including Greene who was hailed as “Moscow Marjorie” by members of both major political parties.
“Putin’s Special Envoy to Congress already delivering for Mother Russia,” quipped Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) afterward.
He was responding to a social media post by Greene saying, “Mike Johnson’s House of Representatives so proud to work for Ukraine. Not the American people!!! It’s despicable.”
Former Rep. Ken Buck (R-Co.) a day earlier told CNN “Moscow Marjorie has reached a new low… She is just mouthing Russian propaganda.”
Johnson told reporters the foreign aid package – which also assists Israel, Taiwan and other allies – isn’t perfect but is desperately needed because “it’s a dangerous time” for Americans.
“Three of our primary adversaries, Russia, Iran, and China are working together … and they’re a global threat to our prosperity and our security,” he said. “Their advance threatens the free world, and it demands American leadership.”
“If we turn our backs right now the consequences could be devastating,” he added, “It’s an old military adage, but we would rather send bullets to the conflict overseas than our own boys, our troops.
”Greene unsuccessfully attempted to derail the deal with multiple amendments, including one meant to troll her critics, calling “for the development of space laser technology on the southwest border.”
Before being elected to Congress, a post of hers on Facebook in 2018 alleged that the Rothschild banking family helped deploy “Jewish space lasers” that had caused wildfires in California.
CONGRESS FINALLY FUNDS ALLIES
$95.3 billion foreign aid bill passed by the House Saturday includes:
- $60.8 billion in military and economic aid for Ukraine
- $17 billion in military for Israel
- $9 billion for Gaza and other war-torn regions
- $8.1 billion for Taiwan and other Indo-Pacific allies
Ironically, the bill will help fund Israel’s Iron Beam particle weapon that is designed to use lasers to shoot down incoming drones and missiles.
The 112 votes against the Ukrainian aid bill also included New York Republicans Nick Langworthy, Nicole Malliotakis, Elise Stefanik and Claudia Tenney.
Lawmakers approved the package, the vast majority of which is direct military assistance, in separate votes.
Final Congressional approval is expected to come on Tuesday when the package is sent to the Senate.
President Biden has said he’ll sign it into law.
In addition to Ukraine support, a measure in the bill provides roughly $17 billion in direct military aid for Israel, and a little over $9 billion in humanitarian aid for Gaza and other war-torn regions.
It passed 366-58 with dissenting members including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and other “Squad” members and Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.) and Freedom Caucus members.
A third amendment provides $8.1 billion for the Indo-Pacific region to help ward off China, about half of which is set aside for Taiwan. It passed 385-34.
A fourth bill includes many Republican priorities that are also endorsed by Dems, including a ban on TikTok if its China-based owner doesn’t give up ownership of the popular app, and allowing the US to seize about $5 billion in frozen Russian central bank assets to rebuild Ukraine.
It passed 360-58.
The package was approved a day after a bipartisan coalition by Johnson voted 316-to-94 to clear a key procedural measure so it could be considered on the floor.
The majority of House Republicans backed Johnson’s plans — with the exception of Ukraine aid —despite threats by Greene, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and other far-right lawmakers to oust him as speaker if he pushed through the Ukraine aid rather than prioritizing US border security as record-breaking numbers of migrants illegally enter the US and strain public funds.
Massie afterwards accused Johnson of being a “poor negotiator,” betraying Republicans and suggested he’ll be on borrowed time as speaker heading into 2025.
“Right now, the most obvious deficiency he’s going to have is that he’s a lame-duck speaker and he can’t raise money for our party,” he said. And he’s given up the leverage.”
A new border bill, brought by freshman Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.), would have heightened penalties for gun- and drug-related offenses committed in connection with illegal immigration — but failed to clear the two-thirds supermajority needed.
Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump hasn’t criticized the Johnson’s efforts, despite opposing most overseas aid for Ukraine.
Trump previously suggested the US provide Ukraine a loan.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) had pressured Johnson to back a $95 billion bill approved by the Senate in February.
That legislation provided all funding in a single bill. House Republicans made several additions to their package, which are expected to get Senate approval.
The House rejiggered the Senate package by upping the amount of funding that goes toward stockpiles of American weapons and munitions, adding oversight conditions on Ukraine assistance and doubling the amount of aid to Israel.
As House members met Saturday, about three dozen anti-Israel protestors gathered east of the US Capitol building to express opposition over the aid package. Some shouted “Stop the genocide!” and “No war funding for Israel.”
Others gathered nearby to show their support for Ukraine, some waving Ukrainian flags.
The funding for Ukraine will come at a crucial time.CIA Director William Burns warned Thursday that without additional US military aid, Ukraine could lose the war with Russia by the end of the year because it’s “running out of ammunition” at an alarming rate.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Johnson and other House members who voted to assist his country, saying it “keeps history on the right track.”
“Democracy and freedom will always have global significance and will never fail as long as America helps to protect it,” he posted on X. “The vital U.S. aid bill passed today by the House will keep the war from expanding, save thousands and thousands of lives, and help both of our nations to become stronger.
David Turner is a globe-trotting journalist who brings a global perspective to our readers. With a commitment to shedding light on international events, he explores complex geopolitical issues, offering a nuanced view of the world’s most pressing challenges.
