Johnson plans to introduce four different bills, essentially decoupling aid to Israel – which faced a barrage of Iranian missiles and drones this weekend in retaliation for a deadly airstrike on its consulate in Syria – from l aid to Ukraine, which is more important. controversial within his conference. The speaker will then advance separate votes for aid to Taiwan and a measure to satisfy Republican foreign policy demands, including the seizure of Russian assets.
It’s a major gamble by embattled Johnson, who was elevated to head the divisive GOP conference after the unprecedented ouster of Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). The low-key former lawmaker struggled to rally a majority of his conference on almost everything and had to rely on Democrats on substantive issues, including keeping the government open.
Nonetheless, Johnson intends to try to pass the measures through the due process, requiring a simple majority for approval — a near-impossible feat that will require the support of almost every Republican given the House’s slim two-vote majority. Republican Party.
Because Johnson intends to advance a Ukraine bill, that could trigger a vote by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) to oust him. Greene threatens to do so if speaker allows a vote on aid to Ukraine.
Greene called Johnson’s plan a “scam” but has not yet said whether she would try to impeach him.
Johnson told the conference that “this is a very important moment for America not to shirk its responsibility,” said Rep. Marcus J. Molinaro (R-N.Y.). But the speaker did not encourage people to vote for his plan, Molinaro said, instead urging them to “vote their conscience.”
washingtonpost
