Biden Endorses $95 Billion Aid for Ukraine and Israel as House Faces Political Strife

AP President Joe Biden expressed strong support for Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson's proposal to provide aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan on Wednesday. The bipartisan effort aims to approve $95 billion in funding for the US allies. Johnson faced a difficult choice between losing his job and funding Ukraine, but he decided to move forward with the funding proposals despite opposition from his right-flank. Biden emphasized the importance of passing the package quickly to send a message of support to the world.Johnson informed GOP lawmakers that he would push for votes on three funding packages for Ukraine, Israel, and allies in the Indo-Pacific, as well as several other foreign policy proposals in a fourth bill. He proposed that economic assistance for Kyiv be structured as forgivable loans with greater oversight on military funding. However, this decision has angered populist conservatives in the House and fueled a threat to remove him from the speaker's office.The votes on the package are expected on Saturday evening, but Johnson faces a challenging path to get there. He needs Democratic support on procedural maneuvers to advance his complex plan of holding separate votes on each aid package and then combining them. This strategy aims to navigate the House's political divisions on foreign policy.Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, stated that the three funding proposals for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan "mirror" a $95 billion foreign aid package passed by the Senate in February. Crucial to Democratic support, the House proposal maintained approximately $9 billion in humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza and other conflict zones.Meanwhile, Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's threat to oust Johnson gained support this week. Kentucky Rep Thomas Massie joined Greene and called for Johnson's resignation. Other GOP lawmakers have openly complained about Johnson's leadership.In an attempt to appease conservatives, Johnson said he would hold a separate vote on a border security package containing most of a bill already passed by House Republicans last year. However, this bill has been rejected by the Democratic-controlled Senate, and conservatives quickly denounced the plan to hold a separate vote on it as insufficient.As part of the foreign aid push, Johnson said House members would have an opportunity to vote on various foreign policy proposals, including seizing frozen Russian central bank assets, placing sanctions on Iran, Russia, and China, and potentially banning TikTok if its China-based owner does not sell its stake.The effort to pass foreign aid comes amid growing concern over Ukraine's precarious situation. Johnson had delayed bringing up the measure since the Senate passed it in February. On Tuesday, Republican chairman Rep Mike Turner and top Democrat Rep Jim Himes of the House Intelligence Committee issued a joint statement emphasizing the "critical need" to provide funding for Ukraine this week.Pentagon leaders testified on Wednesday that both Ukraine and Israel urgently need military weapons. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin noted that battlefield conditions were beginning to shift in Russia's favor. The House version of the aid bill pushes for providing long-range ATACMS Army Tactical Missile Systems to Ukraine, which could target Russian supply lines. The US has hesitated to send these weapons due to concerns about escalating tensions with Moscow.The House bill also increases oversight of aid and equipment sent to Kyiv, including in-person monitoring requirements. However, there is growing acknowledgment in Washington that Johnson could soon lose his position as speaker. Nebraska Republican Rep Don Bacon said this week that supporting the aid package would be "the right thing" even if it costs Johnson his job.