U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson is making a push to pass four separate bills aimed at providing aid to Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan.
However, the success of these bills remains uncertain due to procedural hurdles and the narrow majority held by Republicans. In a closed-door GOP conference meeting,
Johnson outlined his strategy, which includes standalone bills and a potential combined package.
The four bills will focus on providing aid to Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan. Each bill addresses the specific needs and challenges faced by these countries.
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While three bills have been finalized, the fourth bill is still being worked on and is set to include additional measures such as a lend-lease deal for military aid, a ban on TikTok in the U.S., and provisions to sell off assets seized from Russian oligarchs.
Bill 1: Aid to Israel
One of the proposed bills aims to provide aid to Israel, a key ally of the United States. The details of the aid package are yet to be disclosed, but it is intended to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries.
Bill 2: Aid to Ukraine
The second bill focuses on providing aid to Ukraine, a country that has been facing geopolitical challenges and ongoing conflicts. The aid package aims to support Ukraine’s efforts in areas such as security, stability, and economic development.
Bill 3: Aid to Taiwan
The third bill is aimed at providing aid to Taiwan, a region of strategic importance in the Indo-Pacific region. The aid package is designed to enhance Taiwan’s defense capabilities and strengthen its position in the face of increasing pressure from China.
Bill 4: Related Measures
The fourth bill, which is still under development, will include a range of related measures. These measures may include a lend-lease deal for military aid, a ban on TikTok in the U.S., and provisions to sell off assets seized from Russian oligarchs. The aim of these additional measures is to address various national security concerns.
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Despite Speaker Mike Johnson’s efforts to pass these aid bills, there are several procedural hurdles and challenges to overcome. Republicans hold a narrow majority, which makes it uncertain whether Johnson would have enough votes to bring the bills to the floor. The speaker would require near-unanimous support from his own conference to bring the entire package of bills up for passage through a rules vote. Additionally, the Rules Committee, which consists of conservatives, may resist based on concerns regarding Ukraine aid.
Some members of the House Freedom Caucus, a group of conservative lawmakers, have expressed opposition to using necessary funds for Israel to “ram through Ukraine aid.”
Representatives such as Dan Bishop, Anna Paulina Luna, Chip Roy, Bob Good, and Eli Crane have declined to confirm their support for bringing the bills to the floor.
They argue that securing the U.S. border should be a priority before allocating more funds to Ukraine.
If a significant number of conservatives oppose the rules vote, Speaker Mike Johnson would need support from Democrats to move forward. However, it is rare for the minority party to assist on rules votes. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries declined to comment on whether his caucus would support the aid package, emphasizing the need to understand the substance of the bills before reaching any conclusions.
Some Republican members have drawn red lines, highlighting potential obstacles that could jeopardize Ukraine aid in the Senate.
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Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, for example, proposed incorporating language that mandates a Senate vote on a House-passed border security bill before considering a Ukraine aid package.
“I think the Senate should have to take a vote on our border security legislation before we are just giving a blank check,” Gaetz said, adding that his idea got a positive reaction within the meeting.
Senate leaders insist on their bipartisan version of foreign aid legislation that combines cash for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.
During the closed-door meeting, Speaker Mike Johnson mentioned the possibility of amendment votes as part of the aid package. The specific amendments are yet to be revealed.
Notably, the proposal lacks any measures addressing border security, which has been a demand from Republicans for months. Conservative lawmakers have expressed their intention to push for amendment votes on border security policies during the House’s debate.
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