The House plans to vote on Saturday afternoon on Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-La.) four-part proposal to give assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and Indo-Pacific allies.
It is widely anticipated that the proposal will be approved after Democrats and Republicans worked together to advance the proposal by voting in favor of a procedural step to start discussing the bills. Typically, such votes are divided along party lines, regardless of how lawmakers plan to vote on the main legislation. However, in this instance, 165 Democrats joined 151 Republicans to help move the bills forward.
Approval of the foreign aid laws would bring an end to a long-running situation in Congress. In February, the Senate passed a foreign aid package, but the legislation faced strong opposition from House conservatives.
Johnson’s plan divides the aid into four separate bills: three for providing aid to Ukraine,Israel, the Indo-Pacific, and a fourth bill that covers other national security priorities to gain support from hesitant conservatives. This includes a TikTok ban, a provision to use seized Russian assets to fund aid, sanctions, and other actions to deal with Russia, China, and Iran.
Even though the measures are popular, Johnson took a risk to his position as Speaker by introducing them.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), a strong opponent of aid to Ukraine, has already submitted a motion to remove Johnson, but has not taken steps to force a vote on it.
The House will begin discussing the bills at 9 a.m. and voting at 1 p.m.
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