After months of delay, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is finally ready to enter the contentious discussion on Ukraine aid. This is a highly charged issue that holds significant consequences for both Ukraine’s sovereignty and Johnson’s Speakership.
Since assuming the role in October, Johnson has made a commitment to provide further military assistance to Ukraine’s struggling forces in their battle against Russia. However, the focus has shifted towards pressing domestic matters with strict deadlines, such as funding the government and renewing Washington’s foreign surveillance powers.
Johnson is now focusing on a package of emergency foreign aid that is set to be presented next week. The aid package includes new assistance for Ukraine, Israel, and Indo-Pacific allies.
According to Representative Adam Smith, the senior Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, there is a commitment from the Speaker to take action on Ukraine next week.
Lawmakers from both parties widely support the legislation, but it poses workplace hazards for the Speaker. By cutting deals with President Biden, he has angered conservatives in his GOP conference and risks facing an even stronger revolt if he repeats such actions regarding Ukraine.
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) wasted no time in taking action, as she swiftly filed a motion to remove his gavel and is now poised to use it as leverage during the upcoming debate.
Democrats have their own demands on the other side of the aisle. They are seeking a vote on a Senate bill worth $95 billion. This bill includes aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, as well as humanitarian assistance for Gaza. The bill passed through the upper chamber in February with a 70-29 vote.
According to Smith, in order for aid to reach Ukraine, it is imperative that the House considers the Senate bill. He emphasizes that the Senate bill must receive a vote if Ukraine is to receive the necessary support.
The question of how Johnson plans to navigate the tricky terrain of implementing his preferred policies without facing a potentially career-ending backlash has been a subject of speculation in Washington for months.
According to some Republicans, in order to successfully pass a bill in the divided House, it is important to recognize that it is impossible to please everyone, no matter what actions are taken.
One House Republican expressed concerns about the current situation, stating that it is challenging to find a solution that pleases everyone. According to the lawmaker, the conference is too divided, making it difficult to navigate through the varying opinions. However, the Republican acknowledged the leader’s intentions, recognizing that he is genuinely attempting to make the best decision for all.
Speaker committed to advancing politically delicate debate amid growing concerns from lawmakers, Biden administration officials, and global leaders regarding Ukraine’s urgent requirement for increased military support.
The specific details of his plan to modify the Senate bill, as well as whether he will present it as a unified package or divide it into separate parts, are still uncertain.
Johnson has managed to keep Washington in suspense regarding his strategy for several months, and this situation remains unchanged as we approach the crucial debate.
“We will complete the FISA process today, and after that, we will proceed to address our next priority,” Johnson confidently stated on Friday in response to a question about Ukraine aid.
Addressing the migrant crisis at the southern border further complicates his task of including policies in the foreign aid bill.
Democrats, who play a crucial role in the passage of a Ukraine package, are against any modifications to the Senate bill, as it does not include any provisions regarding the border.
Rep. Greg Meeks (N.Y.), the senior Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee, expressed a clear stance on what the final version of the bill should resemble. According to him, it should closely mirror the Senate bill. He emphasized the urgency of the matter, stating that this is the only bill that will promptly reach the president’s desk.
When posed with the question of what would occur if border language is incorporated, Meeks responded without any hesitation.
He rejected the deal outright.
Johnson has made a firm commitment to only allocate Ukraine aid if it includes border reforms. Removing this condition from the discussion would likely lead to a rebellion from conservatives within his conference.
According to Representative Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), there is significant opposition among his colleagues to funding Ukraine without first ensuring the security of our own nation. He believes that this approach is untenable and predicts that a majority of the conference shares this sentiment.
The House cleared the bill, extending Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), in a 273-147 vote. Notably, the bill did not include a controversial warrant requirement amendment that many conservative privacy hawks had been advocating for.
In a close vote of 212-212, the chamber rejected the provision, thanks to the assistance of Johnson, who voted against the contentious amendment.
According to Greene, Johnson was responsible for the failure of the warrant amendment, as she stated to reporters after the FISA vote.
Greene expressed her belief that the results would serve as evidence of the validity of her previous statements. She highlighted the similarity between Speaker Pelosi and Speaker Johnson and questioned the distinction between the two.
Greene has not yet revealed when she intends to initiate her motion to vacate, which is the same method employed to remove former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. She has strongly advised Johnson against bringing any Ukraine aid to the floor and indicated that her timing will depend on how the Speaker handles FISA and assistance for Kyiv.
“After meeting with the Speaker on Wednesday, Greene expressed her lack of support for him at the moment, stating that she is closely monitoring the developments regarding FISA and Ukraine.”
Several Democrats have come forward to publicly announce their commitment to support Johnson in the event of a GOP coup, should he bring the Senate-passed legislation to the floor. It is highly probable that the legislation would secure widespread bipartisan support and pass successfully.
The decision would anger staunch conservatives, but also receive applause from supporters of Ukraine from across the political spectrum, particularly Democrats. This places Johnson in a precarious position, torn between maintaining his position and assisting the beleaguered ally of the United States.
“I would be one of those who is willing to save him,” stated Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas.) on Friday.
