House Speaker Pushing for Foreign Aid Votes Amid Political Divides and Global Escalations

House Speaker Mike Johnson is pushing for action this week on aid for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan. He revealed a plan to break the package into separate votes to navigate through the House's political divides on foreign policy. The move comes after more than two months of delay and is seen as a potentially watershed moment.

The intention to hold four separate votes on parts of the package could result in significant alterations from the $95 billion aid package the Senate passed in February. It remains uncertain if the House will end up with a similar package to the Senate’s bill or something different. This could complicate the effort to get Congress to approve military funding for Ukraine.

Escalating Conflicts

As the House struggles to act, conflicts around the world have intensified. Israel’s military chief stated that the country will respond to Iran’s weekend missile strike. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s military head warned that the battlefield situation in the country’s east has “significantly worsened in recent days” due to warming weather allowing Russian forces to launch a fresh offensive.

President Joe Biden, while hosting Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala at the White House, emphasized the urgency for the House to take up the Senate funding package immediately. He stressed the need for a prompt decision amidst the escalating global events.

Democrats in the House may be open to aiding Johnson in passing the aid in parts and could consider some additional measures being discussed by Republicans. However, any significant deviation from the package risks losing Democratic support and may encounter setbacks in the Senate.

House Speaker Johnson huddled with fellow GOP lawmakers to outline his strategy to gain approval for the funding package. The proposal includes structuring some of the funding for Kyiv as loans, seizing frozen Russian central bank assets, and imposing sanctions on Iran. While the meeting saw differing approaches, Johnson’s plan garnered significant Republican support.

Challenges and Opposition

House Speaker Mike Johnson’s support for Ukraine aid could incite opposition from populist conservatives, including threats from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene to oust him as speaker. The stance taken on Ukraine aid also raises questions about the response from Republican presidential frontrunner, Donald Trump.

Democrats have pressured Johnson to take up the Senate-passed bill, emphasizing the need to rush aid to Israel and provide humanitarian support for civilians in Gaza and Ukraine. They have also explored alternatives such as a discharge petition to force a floor vote on the aid.

Democratic Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Sen. Patty Murray, voiced concerns about structuring the funding for Kyiv as loans, fearing it could disadvantage Ukraine. Meanwhile, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell urged the House to take up the Senate bill, emphasizing the necessity to demonstrate resolve and invest in American strength.