Summary
The House advanced legislation to send aid to Ukraine and other embattled U.S. allies overseas. Democrats stepped in to back the measure, a rare move by the minority party. The chamber approved the foreign aid rule in a 316-94 vote. The successful rule tees up final passage of all four measures. The bipartisan vote is sure to land Johnson in more hot water with his right flank, which has sharply criticized the package. The internal opposition to what has historically been a procedural matter has become its own routine this Congress. The House Freedom Caucus released an official position Thursday urging all Republicans to oppose the rule. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) has filed a resolution to oust the Speaker, but she has not said when she plans to trigger a vote. Former President Trump threw his support behind the Speaker during a joint appearance at Mar-a-Lago last week. President Biden endorsed the foreign aid package earlier this week, and the four Democrats on the Rules Committee voted late Thursday night to advance the package. Members of the minority party rarely help majority leaders pass procedural rules. The only other instance of Democrats helping Republicans advance legislation on a procedural vote this Congress was in May.