Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
What happened
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), after months of inaction on a Senate-passed bill to fund Ukraine and Israel, proposed breaking the bill into four parts that would be voted on separately then reassembled for Senate consideration. But that plan was reportedly unraveling Tuesday night amid strident opposition from Republicans opposed to aiding Ukraine, which is enduring heavy bombardment and losing ground to Russia as it awaits Western artillery shells and missile defense.
Who said what
"I am not resigning," Johnson said, dismissing Rep. Thomas Massie's (R-Ky.) "absurd" call for him to step down or face ouster. "Democrats would probably be there" to save Johnson's speakership, especially if he delivers on Ukraine, said Brendan Buck, an adviser to two former GOP House speakers, to NPR. But being a "Republican speaker who has Democrats to thank for your job" is a "very tough place to be" politically.
The commentary
The Senate package "would easily pass the House" and reach President Joe Biden's desk "immediately," and Johnson was "leaning toward" putting it up for a vote before Iran attacked Israel on Saturday, prompting "far-right and anti-Ukraine" Republicans to agitate for Israel-only funding, Josh Rogin said at The Washington Post. Johnson's "complicated and risky gambit" to pass four bills is an attempt to "placate his far-right base" but the Senate should pass it quickly, "if it gets that far."
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What next?
As Johnson's proposal falters, pro-Ukraine Republicans are considering forcing a vote on the Senate bill by signing onto a Democratic discharge petition, Axios said.
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