WASHINGTON (AP) — The House of Representatives is preparing for an unusual situation. saturday session Democrats and Republicans to approve $95 billion in foreign aid to Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies, after months of grueling battle over new U.S. aid to repel Russia's invasion of Ukraine. helped pass the bill.
Republican House Speaker mike johnsonPutting his job on the line, he relied on Democratic support this week to set up a series of votes on three aid bills and a fourth that includes several other foreign policy proposals. A successful vote would send the package to the Senate, where it is almost certain to pass within days. President Joe Biden has promised to sign it immediately.
House passage would remove the biggest hurdle to Biden's funding request, which was first submitted in October when Ukraine began running out of military supplies. The Republican-controlled House of Representatives, skeptical of U.S. aid to Ukraine, struggled for months on what to do. First, he demanded that any aid be tied to policy changes dictated by the United States and Mexico, and he immediately rejected a bipartisan Senate proposal along those very lines. .
Reaching the end game is Excruciating lift for Johnson It has tested both his resolve and his support among Republicans, with a small but growing number now publicly calling for his removal from the speakership. But Congressional leaders cast the vote as a turning point in history. It's an imminent sacrifice as America's allies are beset by wars and threats from continental Europe to the Middle East to Asia.
“The only thing that will keep terrorists and tyrants at bay is the knowledge that America is strong, and that we will stand strong,” Johnson said this week. “And we will. I think Congress will demonstrate that. This is a very important message that we send to the world.”
Still, in recent months, a flurry of world leaders have visited Congress, starting with Ukraine's president. Volodymyr Zelensky Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida, just beg lawmakers to approve the aid. Globally, the delay caused many to question the U.S. commitment to its allies.
One of Mr. Biden's top foreign policy priorities — blocking Russian President Vladimir Putin's expansion into Europe — is also at stake. After quietly consulting with Mr. Johnson, the president quickly endorsed his plan this week, paving the way for Democrats to give rare support to clear the procedural hurdles needed for a final vote.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said, “We are committed to supporting Israel, Ukraine, and our democratic allies in the Indo-Pacific region, and providing humanitarian assistance to civilians at risk in conflict zones such as Gaza, Haiti, and Sudan. “It's long past time to provide that.” at a press conference on Friday.
A vote on the package is likely to create an unusual coalition in the House. The Ukraine aid bill is likely to win a majority in both parties, but a significant number of progressive Democrats oppose the Israel aid bill, which calls for an end to the bombing of Gaza that has killed thousands of civilians. expected to vote.
At the same time, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, with his “America First” policy tilting the Republican Party toward a more isolationist position, is using social media statements and direct calls with members of Congress to He is voicing his opinion and looming large in this battle. brand of politics. Ukraine's national defense once enjoyed strong bipartisan support in Congress, but as the war enters its third year, a majority of Republicans oppose further aid.
At one point during a months-long effort to get Ukraine aid through Congress, President Trump's opposition essentially doomed a bipartisan Senate proposal for border security. Trump also avoided criticizing Johnson last week, saying Ukraine's survival is important, but also posting on social media questioning why European countries aren't giving Ukraine more money.
Still, the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus has derided the bill as “America's last foreign war effort” and rebelled against Republican leadership because the bill does not include border security measures. He urged lawmakers to oppose it.
Johnson's obsession with the gavel has also increased in recent days, with three Republicans led by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia supporting a motion to resign that could lead to a vote to remove the speaker. It is becoming more diluted by the day. Representative Thomas Massey of Kentucky said he is calling on Mr. Johnson to voluntarily resign and that several more will soon join him.
The House of Representatives office is working hard to drum up support for the bill and for Johnson (R-La.). The party organized a series of press conferences ahead of the final vote on the policy package, first with Jewish leaders, then with I went with a Christian group.
Ari Fleischer, a former White House press secretary under President George W. ” he said.
“Coming together like this is a refreshing reminder of the old days when foreign policy enjoyed bipartisan support,” he said.
The package includes several Republican priorities that Democrats support, or are at least prepared to embrace. These include a proposal to allow the United States to seize frozen assets of the Russian central bank in order to rebuild Ukraine. Imposing sanctions on Iran, Russia, China, and criminal organizations trafficking fentanyl.and law The China-based owners of the popular video app TikTok will be required to sell their stake within a year or face a ban in the United States.
Still, the push to push the bill through parliament reflects not only politics but also the reality on the ground in Ukraine. Leading members of the National Security Committee, who are familiar with the contents of the secret conference, have expressed serious concerns about the situation over the past few weeks. Russia is increasing its use of satellite-guided glide bombs, which aircraft can drop from a safe distance, to attack Ukraine's insurgent military. shortage of troops and ammunition.
“I really believe in the information and the briefings that we have,” Johnson said, adding: “If allowed, President Vladimir Putin will continue to march across Europe.”
John Herbst, former ambassador to Ukraine under President George W. Bush, said the months-long delay in approving additional U.S. aid is undoubtedly hurting Ukrainian forces in the field. said.
But it's not too late, Herbst added. “The fact that it's happening now means disaster has been averted.”