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."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
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.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
What is NASA working on?
In Depth A running list of the space agency's most exciting developments
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
'Presidential debates are more performance art than actual ways to inform'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Musk clears Tesla self-driving hurdle in China
Speed Read The Tesla CEO won China's approval to introduce Full Self-Driving (FSD) cars
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine using covert US long-range missiles
Speed Read The weapons are part of a $1 billion Ukraine aid package
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Is the Gaza war tearing US university campuses apart?
Today's Big Question Protests at Columbia University, other institutions, pit free speech against student safety
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
'Make legal immigration a more plausible option'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine cheers House approval of military aid
Speed Read Following a lengthy struggle, the House has approved $95 billion in aid for Ukraine and Israel
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Peter Murrell: Sturgeon's husband charged over SNP 'embezzlement' claims
Speed Read SNP expresses 'shock' as former chief executive rearrested in long-running investigation into claims of mishandled campaign funds
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
'A speaker courageous enough to stand up to the extremists in his own party'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published