The House of Representatives is currently in session on a rare Saturday to consider Speaker Mike Johnson's foreign aid plan, which has sparked controversy within the GOP. The plan includes four bills totaling roughly $95 billion, with funding allocated for Ukraine, Israel, the Indo-Pacific, and national security priorities.
One of the bills, aimed at supporting Ukraine, has faced opposition from a small group of Republican rebels, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has proposed an amendment to strip all funds from the bill. Despite this opposition, the bill is expected to pass with bipartisan support.
Speaker Johnson's handling of foreign aid and government spending has led to calls for his ouster by some GOP members, with Reps. Thomas Massie and Paul Gosar formally backing the effort initiated by Greene. The debate over foreign aid has highlighted divisions within the Republican Party, with some members pushing for spending offsets and border security measures.
In a surprising turn of events, Democrats provided crucial support for the foreign aid proposal, outnumbering Republicans in a key procedural vote. This bipartisan support has been praised by some lawmakers, including Rep. Jake Ellzey, who emphasized the importance of national security and bipartisan cooperation.
Despite the challenges and divisions, the House is moving forward with the debate and passage of the foreign aid bills. The outcome of the Saturday vote will have significant implications for U.S. foreign policy and national security efforts, showcasing the complexities of navigating bipartisan cooperation in a politically charged environment.
