The House of Representatives is engaged in a rare Saturday vote to consider Speaker Mike Johnson’s foreign aid plan, which includes bills funding Ukraine, Israel, the Indo-Pacific, and national security priorities like the House’s crackdown on TikTok’s ownership and the REPO Act. These bills total roughly $95 billion. Among the amendments being considered is one by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene to remove all funds from the Ukraine aid bill, which may garner significant Republican support due to growing opposition to U.S. involvement in Ukraine’s conflict with Russia.
Speaker Johnson’s handling of foreign aid and government spending led to calls for his ouster from a small group of GOP rebels. Two more Republicans, Reps. Thomas Massie and Paul Gosar, have formally backed a motion to vacate the chair filed by Greene in response to Johnson’s foreign aid plan. Johnson has been caught in a battle between Democratic Senate and White House leadership and conservative factions in his own conference, notably the House Freedom Caucus and their allies.
To address concerns about foreign aid without spending offsets or border security measures, Johnson is holding a vote on a border security and immigration bill on Saturday. The proposal passed a key procedural vote on Friday, allowing for debate and passage of the final bills. Democrats provided support for the proposal, outnumbering Republicans in voting for the rule. This bipartisan support irked Johnson’s right-wing critics, including the House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good, who accused Johnson of dividing the Republican Party.
Despite criticism from some Republicans, Rep. Jake Ellzey expressed relief that the bills advanced with bipartisan support, emphasizing the importance of coming together for national security and to reassure allies around the world. He viewed the show of bipartisanship as a positive development. Democrats like Rep. Steny Hoyer also supported the foreign aid proposal on the grounds that it was good for the country, emphasizing the importance of working across party lines for the benefit of the nation.
The House Freedom Caucus and other conservative Republicans have been vocal in their opposition to Johnson’s foreign aid plan, arguing that funding Ukraine creates division within the Republican Party. However, the proposal to provide aid to Ukraine and other nations affected by conflicts was ultimately supported by Democrats and enough Republicans to pass. The tensions and disagreements surrounding the vote highlight the complex dynamics within the Republican Party and the challenges faced by Speaker Johnson in navigating these internal divides to advance his foreign aid agenda.
