Summary
The House swiftly approved $95 billion in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies in a rare Saturday session. Democrats and Republicans joined together after months of political turmoil over renewed American support for repelling Russia’s invasion. With an overwhelming vote, the $61 billion in aid forUkraine passed in a matter of minutes. “I think history will judge it well,” says a weary Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. The whole package will go to the Senate, which could pass it as soon as Tuesday. President Joe Biden has promised to sign it immediately. The scene in Congress was a striking display of action after months of dysfunction. Military and humanitarian funding for Ukraine wins approval in the House. It is the first major package for Ukraine since December 2022. The GOP-controlled House struggled for months over what to do. It first demanded that any assistance for Ukraine be tied to policy changes at the U.S.-Mexico border. A small but growing number of Republicans are openly urging his removal from the speaker’s office. Yet congressional leaders cast the votes as a turning point in history. Opponents argue that the U.S. should focus on the home front, addressing domestic border security. “We have a responsibility, not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Americans to defend democracy wherever it is at risk,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said during the debate. While aid for Ukraine failed to win a majority of Republicans, several dozen progressive Democrats voted against the bill aiding Israel. A group of roughly 20 hard-right Republicans voted against every portion of the aid package. The ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus has derided the legislation as the “America Last’ package. Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has loomed large over the fight. Johnson’s hold on the speaker’'s gavel has also grown more tenuous in recent days. Three Republicans, led by Greene, supported a “motion to vacate” that can lead to a vote on removing the speaker. Egged on by far-right personalities, she is also being joined by a growing number of lawmakers. All-out push to get the bills through Congress is a reflection of politics, and realities on the ground in Ukraine. Top lawmakers on national security committees have grown gravely concerned about the tide of the war. Russia pummels Ukrainian forces beset by a shortage of troops and ammunition.