House Speaker Mike Johnson announced a divisive new approach to foreign aid on Monday, proposing four distinct bills to separately support Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan, while addressing other Republican foreign policy concerns. This move, intended to manage right-wing opposition within his party, seeks to replace a Senate-approved $95 billion aid package that garnered bipartisan support. Johnson’s strategy could see these individual bills voted on as soon as Friday if they clear the House Rules Committee, with potential for merging them before Senate review.
The proposal, which segregates aid to Israel from that of Ukraine, has sparked internal conflict among Republicans and heightened scrutiny from Democrats, particularly following an Israeli strike that killed several aid workers. Johnson’s stance reflects ongoing GOP infighting and challenges in securing broader legislative consensus. His leadership faces threats from conservatives like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has expressed readiness to initiate a vote to remove him should he proceed with the Ukraine aid package.
Amidst these domestic tensions, the global context remains urgent. Johnson has delayed decisions on Ukraine aid but moved forward with support for Israel in previous sessions, navigating a narrow majority that often requires Democratic support to pass significant measures. The plan’s reception in the Senate remains uncertain, with mixed signals from both parties and explicit opposition from the White House to a standalone Israel bill. This legislative strategy underscores the complex dynamics at play as Johnson strives to balance party unity and national security interests.
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