Congress Finalizes Permanent Spending Package, Faces Upcoming Ukraine Funding Battle

After months of budget deadlocks and temporary funding measures, Congress has finally approved a permanent spending package for the rest of the fiscal year, bringing an end to the stopgap measures and near-miss government shutdowns.

Challenges for House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., now faces challenges from the House Republican hardliners of the Freedom Caucus in the next uphill funding battle, specifically regarding Ukraine.

"I can promise you, if you put a Ukraine bill on the floor and you haven't secured the border, there's going to be a problem within the ranks and on Capitol Hill," said Freedom Caucus member Rep. Chip Roy, R-Tx., on CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday.

Johnson has come under fire from the Freedom Caucus for his concessions to pass the budget bill and avoid a government shutdown. There is discontent within the ranks regarding the bill's reflection of the will of the American people.

Reactions from Republican Hardliners

Republican hardliners, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., opposed the budget bill as it was passed through Congress, with Greene filing a motion to oust Johnson from his post shortly after its passing.

Last-Minute Moves by Johnson

To pass the budget bill before funding ran out, Johnson made last-minute moves including disobeying the House's 72-hour review rule and using an expedited voting procedure that required bipartisan support. These decisions were driven by the necessity to gain bipartisan agreement due to the smallest majority in U.S. history.

Johnson's Balancing Act

Johnson faces the challenge of balancing the interests of hardline conservatives while compromising enough to keep the government running, particularly with the specter of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's ouster looming over his speakership.

Challenges in Ukraine Funding Decision

With the budget now agreed upon, the decision on Ukraine funding poses a new challenge for Johnson. Congress has delayed Ukraine funding for months, despite sitting on a $95 billion spending proposal to aid Ukraine, Israel, and other war-torn regions, which was passed by the Senate in February.

"Not one dollar should go to the Ukraine funding — not one dollar — if the border of the United States is wide open," said Republican Rep. Chip Roy, expressing opposition to sustained aid for Ukraine's ongoing war with Russia.

Impact of Border Funding on 2024 Election

The border has emerged as a significant issue in the 2024 election, particularly after Republicans rejected a spending package that included $20 billion in border funding. Former President Donald Trump's influence is evident, as he reportedly urged Republicans to oppose the package to prevent Democrats from securing a border victory in an election year.