House Speaker Mike Johnson plans to hold separate votes on aid for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan this week, navigating House divisions on foreign policy. Johnson’s strategy, involving breaking the $95 billion aid package into distinct measures, is designed to address conservatives’ opposition to Ukraine funding.
The package’s fate remains uncertain as any significant deviation from the Senate’s version could delay its passage and complicate congressional approval for Ukraine aid. President Joe Biden has urged the House to quickly adopt the Senate’s version of the bill.
Johnson’s plan involves some Ukraine economic assistance as loans, allowing the U.S. to seize Russian central bank assets, and imposing sanctions on Iran. The approach faces internal challenges, with Republican defense hawks and populist conservatives clashing over the direction of U.S. support for Ukraine.
House Democrats have been pushing for immediate action on the Senate’s comprehensive national security bill. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell both advocate for swift adoption of the Senate bill to bolster U.S. allies and address global crises.
