The aid package for Ukraine was approved predominantly with Democratic support, surpassing Republican votes.
House Speaker Mike Johnson pushes through a $61 billion Ukraine aid package, disregarding his earlier vows to secure U.S. borders first.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has stirred controversy by steering a $61 billion aid package for Ukraine through the House, breaking his repeated assurances that no foreign aid would proceed without enhancements to U.S. border security. The aid bill was passed with a vote of 311 to 112, showcasing significant bipartisan support, despite Johnson’s earlier commitments.
The passage of the bill was marked by a display of enthusiasm from multiple Democrats and some Republicans, who cheered and waved Ukrainian flags as the vote concluded—a gesture that Johnson criticized as violating House decorum.
The internal split in the Republican Party was evident as only 101 Republicans sided with Johnson, while 112 opposed the measure, highlighting a division that undermines the Hastert Rule. This informal rule suggests that the majority of the majority party should support a bill before it goes to the floor.
The approval of this substantial aid package to Ukraine comes after months of Johnson’s public hesitance, which shifted following a critical meeting at the White House on February 28. According to sources cited by Politico, both the White House and veteran Republicans have been influencing Johnson’s stance on Ukraine aid, aiming to secure a foreign policy victory for President Joe Biden.
The process leading to Johnson’s reversal involved several classified briefings provided by top U.S. intelligence and national security officials, including CIA Director William Burns and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. These briefings, which began shortly after Johnson’s tenure as Speaker started, were intended to update lawmakers on the escalating crisis in Ukraine.
Despite the passage of the Ukraine aid, Johnson’s efforts to secure the U.S. southern border faced a setback. Earlier the same day, a border security bill that Johnson advanced under suspension of the rules failed to pass, requiring a two-thirds majority but only securing 215 votes in favor against 199 opposed.
The Ukraine aid will now be part of a larger foreign aid package that notably excludes provisions for border security, a point of contention among critics who argue that domestic security issues are being sidelined.
As the Senate gears up to consider the bill, the decision has far-reaching implications, not only for U.S. foreign policy but also for the internal dynamics within the Republican Party and Johnson’s leadership, which continues to be tested by the complex interplay of domestic priorities and international responsibilities.