Mike Johnson targets Ukraine, Israel and TikTok in foreign aid push
Published Date: 4/15/2024
Source: axios.com
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is looking to bring separate Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan funding bills to the floor this week, two sources familiar told Axios.
Why it matters: Johnson's announcement comes shortly after Iran launched an attack on Israel, with President Biden telling Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu that the U.S. would not support a counterattack.
- House GOP leadership has struggled to find a path forward on foreign aid that doesn't spark a revolt from the different factions of the conference.
- "Lot of people like the split up," one GOP member told Axios.
- A fourth bill that Johnson plans this week includes a ban on TikTok.
Between the lines: Bipartisan pressure is growing on Johnson to take up the Senate-passed foreign aid bill, which includes all of the above funding.
- "Extreme MAGA Republicans are out of excuses. The Ukrainian people are out of time," wrote House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.).
- Jeffries called this week a "Churchill or Chamberlain moment."
The big picture: Johnson has had to carefully thread a needle with his handling of Ukraine aid, with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green (R-Ga.) threatening to force a vote on a resolution to oust him if he brings it to the floor.
- Despite coming under fire over an array of issues, former President Trump said he stands by the speaker, providing the Louisiana Republican with some cover.