House Republicans Face Opposition in Advancing Foreign Aid Bill for Ukraine and Israel
House Republicans faced a critical hurdle on Thursday night as they worked to advance a long-stalled foreign aid bill for Ukraine and Israel. In a surprising turn of events, they had to rely on Democratic votes to move the plan out of a key committee and onto the House floor.
The 9-to-3 vote in the Rules Committee marked an early step in the complex process of approving the $95 billion aid package. It highlighted the deep divisions within the Republican party, with far-right members expressing anger over Speaker Mike Johnson’s strategy to push the legislation forward despite opposition from ultraconservative Republicans.
In a dramatic twist, three far-right Republicans on the committee initially refused to support the rule needed to bring up the foreign aid bill, putting its fate in jeopardy. However, Democrats on the panel stepped in to save the day, voting unanimously to advance the plan.
This unusual display of bipartisanship underscored the challenges Speaker Johnson faces in garnering support for the aid package. With far-right Republicans opposing the measure due to a lack of provisions for border security, Democrats are likely to play a crucial role in securing its passage on the House floor.
The rule proposed by Mr. Johnson is key to his strategy for moving the aid package forward. It would allow separate votes on aid to Israel and Ukraine, appealing to different factions within the House, before combining them into a single bill for final approval.
Despite the unexpected roadblocks, Mr. Johnson remains optimistic about the aid package’s prospects. He emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine to deter Russian aggression, stating, “I’d rather send bullets to Ukraine than American boys.”
As the House prepares for a vote on the aid package, the political maneuvering and bipartisan cooperation surrounding this issue continue to captivate observers. Stay tuned for further developments as the House navigates this complex legislative process.
