The House of Representatives recently endorsed the allocation of a noteworthy $60 billion in aid for Ukraine, to fortify its fortitude against the Russian incursion. This decision, however, has not come without controversy, testing the strength of Speaker Mike Johnson’s majority which is already hanging by a thread. The vote saw more Democrats offering their support compared to Republicans, with a noteworthy 101 Republicans voting in favor of the bill, and 112 voting against.
The proceedings had an unanticipated twist when, in an act of symbolism, Democrats started brandishing Ukrainian flags – an act deemed against House protocol, per Rep. Marc Molinaro, in charge of overseeing the vote. Upon completion of the voting process, the Democratic side of the House erupted into cheers, an action that earned them a reprimand from Molinaro. He pointed out that such overt display of partisanship was against the rules and termed it ‘inappropriate,’ inviting scorn from the Democrats.
In this pool of polarized views, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., voiced her objection sternly – ‘Put those d–n flags away,’ she urged, after which the Democrats retaliated verbally. This heated exchange marked the start of another voting process. Legislators, in a rather unusual Saturday session, were tasked with the challenge of green-lighting Johnson’s vast $95 billion foreign aid plan. The package encompasses aid for Israel and the Indo-Pacific, among others, and substantial national security measures.
Johnson, the Republican Speaker from Louisiana, scored a crucial victory as all four bills under consideration were passed with stellar bipartisan backing. This further highlights how providing financial aid to Ukraine has emerged as a contentious issue within the GOP. This bill, furnishing additional funds to Ukraine for its defensive conflict against the two-year-long Russian intrusion, was supported by Johnson.
However, some keen fiscal conservatives are uncertain and suspicious of the ongoing and escalating U.S. monetary involvement in Ukraine. Others have cast a doubtful light on the level of corruption rampant within the Ukrainian government. Tellingly, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s efforts to cut out all funding associated with Ukraine, from the Ukraine funding bill, were thwarted in a significant 71 to 351 vote last Saturday.
Classical Republicans and those concerned about national security are forewarning that Ukraine’s triumph is indispensable to avoid escalating into a broader conflict involving NATO and Russia. They are particularly perturbed by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s swift alliance development with Iran and China, labeling it as the rising ‘axis of evil’.
Despite initial skepticism, Johnson has supported Ukraine. Earlier in the week, he issued a grave warning. He indicated his trust in the intelligence reports purporting that Putin, along with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Iran, constitute a formidable ‘axis of evil’. Furthermore, he voiced concerns over the possibility of Putin expanding his military expeditions into Europe.
Representative Johnson was candid about his apprehensions and speculated on Putin’s likely next moves-including a potential showdown with Poland or one of the NATO allies. Taking a definitive stance, Johnson turned the conversation to the hefty sacrifice of American lives, ‘To put it bluntly, I would rather send bullets to Ukraine than American boys,’ he firmly asserted.
Simultaneously, his endorsement for more foreign aid, and in particular towards Ukraine, has stirred up contentious sentiments and is reportedly endangering his position as House Speaker. Representative Greene, in opposition to Johnson’s initiatives on government spending and foreign aid cooperation with Democrats, lodged a resolution last month for a House-wide vote to depose Johnson.
Two more House Republicans, Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., expressed their support for this resolution in the past week. Their statements blatantly criticizing Johnson’s stance on spending resources on Ukraine, rather than securing the southern border and dealing with illegal immigration, resonated with many conservatives.
In her statement post-vote, Greene berated Johnson, calling it ‘the third betrayal,’ and vehemently voiced her distaste for his government funding arrangement and renewal of a critical government surveillance tool. She went on to lambast Johnson’s legislative decisions on the House floor as a ‘foreign war package,’ and concluded by expressing gratitude that Americans are now aware of his strategies.
Meanwhile, Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., conceded that Johnson’s promotion of his foreign aid package could potentially cost him his Speakership. Bacon praised Johnson for bravely taking the right course of action, regardless of the political risk involved. Bacon’s statement revealed that classified intelligence indicated the severe necessity for quick action, in light of Ukraine’s dire predicament.
It’s worth noting that, unless Greene files her resolution as ‘privileged,’ House leadership is not compelled to present her resolution for a vote. Numerous Democrats suggested they may rally behind Johnson if he were to put the Ukraine aid bill for voting on the House floor. Earlier on Saturday, in a remarkable victory, approximately $8 billion aid for the Indo-Pacific region was approved in an overwhelming 385 to 34 vote.
