House Speaker Mike Johnson seems to be losing control over his party as he faces backlash over his plan to bring separate bills funding aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan to the House floor. This move has angered some far-right House Republicans, with Rep. Thomas Massie and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene calling for his resignation.
Despite the pressure, Johnson remains steadfast, stating, “I am not resigning,” and emphasizing the need for steady leadership. He has delayed action on a $95 billion national security supplemental that would provide military assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, but recent events, such as Iran's attack on Israel and Russia's escalation in Ukraine, have increased the urgency for Congress to act.
To address concerns within his party, Johnson has split the aid packages into separate bills. However, he faces obstacles, including a lack of Republican support for the procedural vote needed to consider the legislation. Some Republicans are also pushing for the inclusion of border security measures, which could further complicate the process.
Despite the challenges, Johnson's leadership is being praised by some Republicans. Rep. Tom Cole commended Johnson for his handling of the situation, stating, “We always knew this was going to be difficult for a raw speaker,” but expressing confidence that Johnson is navigating the situation well.
The prospect of Johnson's ouster has raised concerns within the Republican conference, with many members wary of repeating the chaos that followed former Speaker Kevin McCarthy's removal. While some Republicans are calling for Johnson's resignation, others, like Rep. Andy Biggs, support Johnson's plan to allow separate votes on the aid packages.
Ultimately, Johnson's ability to pass the aid bills and retain his position as Speaker may depend on Democratic support. Rep. Pete Aguilar has indicated that Democrats are willing to support plans that deliver aid to allies like Israel and Ukraine.
The Biden Administration has expressed openness to Johnson's proposal but emphasized the need for swift action to provide security assistance to allies facing imminent threats. White House spokesman John Kirby stated, “The important thing is that our allies like Israel and Ukraine... get the security assistance they need as quickly as possible. So we want them to move this week.”
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