Johnson’s Plan to Pass Aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan
House Speaker Mike Johnson is determined to move forward with a plan to pass aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, despite facing political opposition in Washington. The $95 billion foreign aid package, which has been tied up in a political fight for months, would be split into three separate bills, one for each country, with a fourth bill containing conservative priorities.
Before unveiling his plan to his conference, Johnson spoke with President Joe Biden, indicating his commitment to the cause. However, the White House has stated that they are waiting to see the plan in detail before discussing how to proceed with Democrats.
Opposition from Within Johnson’s Party
While Johnson’s plan may seem like a step in the right direction, it has caused division within his own party. A second member, Rep. Thomas Massie, has announced his support for Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s motion to remove Johnson from the speaker post. Massie even suggested that Johnson pre-announce his resignation to avoid any lapse in leadership.
Johnson’s Response and Republican Support
When asked about the possibility of resigning, Johnson firmly stated, “I am not resigning.” He believes it is absurd to bring a vacate motion when they are simply trying to do their jobs. Johnson emphasized that resigning would not be helpful to the cause, the country, or the House Republicans’ agenda.
Despite the opposition, some Republicans are standing by Johnson. Rep. Don Bacon expressed his support, stating that Johnson is doing his best in a difficult situation and that they should stand by him. Rep. Ralph Norman also voiced his disagreement with Massie’s effort, acknowledging that while he may disagree with some of Johnson’s actions, he believes Johnson is an honest man.
The Impact on House Majority and Democratic Support
With a razor-thin majority in the House, Johnson can only afford two defections from his party. However, some Democrats have privately signaled that they would support Johnson rather than risk another month of potential speaker elections, as they want to see aid provided to Israel, Ukraine, and other humanitarian assistance.
House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar expressed his desire for the House to work efficiently and deliver the necessary support. He emphasized that while they cannot control the theatrics within the House Republican conference, they are willing to stand with anyone who wants to provide aid and support.
The Road Ahead
While legislative text for the bills has not yet been released, Johnson assured that discussions would continue. He acknowledged that there are still many ideas on the table and that they would be working diligently to find a resolution.
