The House approved a $95 billion foreign aid package, consisting of four bills, in a pivotal moment for House Speaker Mike Johnson. The bills include aid for Ukraine in its war with Russia, support for Israel, and countering China in the Indo-Pacific. Humanitarian aid for Gaza is also included. The fourth bill allows the sale of frozen assets of Russian oligarchs to fund future aid to Ukraine, potentially forcing the sale of TikTok, and authorizing stricter sanctions on Russia, China, and Iran. The House approved the fourth bill in a 360 to 58 vote.
The aid bills for allies in the Indo-Pacific and Israel were overwhelmingly approved in votes of 385 to 34 and 366 to 58, respectively. The aid for Ukraine, which faced months of infighting among House Republicans, was approved in a 311 to 112 vote. Despite pushback from some House conservatives, the aid package was passed to address the ongoing conflicts and crises in the respective regions. Speaker Johnson emphasized that separating the bills allowed members to vote according to their conscience on each one.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer indicated that the Senate would take up the vote on the aid package on Tuesday following the House passage. Schumer thanked Johnson and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for working together to approve the bill. Johnson faced pressure to hold a vote on the aid package that had been sitting idle in the House for months. The Senate passed a similar $95 billion package in February, prompting Johnson to unveil the aid package earlier in the week.
Johnson defended his decision to bring up the aid for Ukraine, citing classified briefings that highlighted the importance of pushing back on Russian aggression. He emphasized the need for the aid and stood behind his decision despite threats from some Republicans to force a vote to dethrone him. The rebellion against Johnson included three Republican backers, and if Democrats do not step in to save him, his job could be at risk. Johnson expressed confidence in his decision to allow the House to work its will and stated that he had done what he believed to be the right thing.
CIA Director William Burns emphasized the importance of the aid for Ukraine, stating that with support from Congress, Ukraine can hold its own on the battlefield through 2024 and continue to inflict damage on Russia. Burns warned about the dire situation for Ukraine should they not receive additional financial support from the U.S. The aid package addresses critical issues in various regions, including ongoing conflicts and threats from adversaries such as Russia, China, and Iran.
