House Speaker Mike Johnson stood firm against mounting Republican anger over his proposed U.S. aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and other allies, refusing to resign or risk a vote to oust him from office. Describing himself as a "wartime speaker," Johnson vowed to move forward with the aid package, even if it meant relying on Democrats for support, which was met with opposition from his own party.
Despite facing backlash, Johnson remained resolute, spending hours at the Capitol exploring alternative strategies with lawmakers, including attaching U.S.-Mexico border security measures to the aid package. However, no concrete bill text was released, casting doubt on the possibility of passing any aid that week.
Johnson's determination seemed bolstered by a recent meeting with former President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, where Trump expressed support for him. Johnson emphasized the importance of reelecting Trump at a press conference, further indicating his alignment with Trump's agenda.
In discussions with President Joe Biden and other leaders, Johnson outlined his plan to move the aid package forward through separate votes for each section, such as Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific region. However, the complex approach would require bipartisan support, which could be challenging to secure.
Additionally, Johnson planned a fourth measure that included Republican-preferred national security priorities, like seizing Russian assets in U.S. banks to fund Ukraine. This approach, though not a deal-breaker for Democrats, could complicate negotiations and push them away from compromise.
House Democrats, led by Hakeem Jeffries, expressed firmness in their stance, insisting on not accepting anything less than the $9 billion in humanitarian aid included in the Senate's package, which also had money for Gaza. This, along with the declining Democratic support for Israel amid the Gaza conflict, added to the complexities faced by Johnson.
Facing the threat of ouster from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Johnson maintained his position, warning lawmakers of a "binary choice" between his proposed package and a Democratic discharge petition that would force a vote on the Senate-approved measure, without Republican priorities.
Despite the challenges, Johnson received backing from six Republican committee chairmen, who stressed the urgency of passing the aid package. They highlighted the importance of not failing to provide critical national security aid, especially in the face of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
As debates continue in the House, the aid package remains a critical issue, with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighting the importance of allied action in response to global threats.
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