The House passed a package of foreign aid bills on Friday with bipartisan support, with more Democrats than Republicans voting in favor. The legislation championed by House Speaker Mike Johnson would deliver $95 billion in aid to Ukraine, Israel, and the U.S.’s Indo-Pacific partners. President Biden supports the package and said he will sign it into law if it passes the Senate, which returns from recess on April 29. The package includes approximately $26 billion for Israel, $61 billion for Ukraine, and $8 billion for Indo-Pacific partners like Taiwan.
The House Rules Committee also approved the rules governing the debate surrounding the bills, with a rare occurrence of far-right Republicans voting against advancing the legislation. Despite this, the committee’s Democrats voted alongside the remaining Republicans to move the package out of committee. Johnson faced pressure to unveil the aid package after Iran attacked Israel over the weekend. Far-right lawmakers have been resisting the legislation, leveraging the GOP’s slim majority in the House to push through their own policy priorities. The package may also include separate bills for new border controls, a potential TikTok ban, and sanctions on Russia, China, and Iran.
Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Tom Massie have threatened to call up a motion to vacate Johnson from the speakership over the aid packages. Rep. Paul Gosar also endorsed the effort. Greene had introduced the measure last month but did not do so as a “privileged” resolution, meaning there is no set time frame for voting on the motion. Johnson has stated that he does not spend time worrying about the motion and will continue to focus on his job. Multiple Democrats have indicated they would vote to save Johnson from an ouster if the motion is brought to the floor.
The $95 billion aid package is crucial for providing support to Ukraine, Israel, and the U.S.’s allies in the Indo-Pacific region. The funding levels in the package were structured based on a similar foreign aid package that passed the Senate in February, with some modifications. Johnson faces challenges in trying to wrangle his GOP conference and navigate resistance from far-right lawmakers within his party. The passage of this legislation is seen as a significant step in maintaining support for key U.S. allies and addressing ongoing global challenges.
Overall, the bipartisan support for the foreign aid package highlights the importance of providing assistance to allies and partners around the world. President Biden’s backing of the legislation and the strong vote in favor in the House indicate a united front on foreign policy priorities. As the Senate prepares to take up the bill, there will likely be continued debate and negotiation over the specifics of the aid package. The outcome of these discussions will be crucial in shaping U.S. foreign policy and demonstrating the country’s commitment to supporting key allies in a challenging global landscape.
