Mike Johnson gets another rare bipartisan bailout from Democrats on foreign aid
House Democrats on Friday took another rare step to prevent House Speaker Mike Johnson's (R-La.) foreign aid package from being blocked.
Why it matters: As Republicans struggle with a razor-thin majority and a rebellious right flank, such bipartisanship on typically party-line procedural votes is becoming more common.
What happened: 165 Democrats voted with 151 Republicans to pass what is known as a "rule," a procedural mechanism setting the terms of debate and votes on legislation.
- The bipartisanship was needed after 55 Republicans, mostly hardliners incensed about the $61 billion in Ukraine aid in the package, voted "no."
- The vote sets the stage for the bill to be passed early Saturday afternoon.
Zoom out: Republican hardliners have increasingly defected from Republican leadership and voted to keep rules from passing this session.
- Johnson, and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), have been forced to occasionally seek out Democratic votes.
- Democrats previously voted last May to help advance a bill raising the debt ceiling after a similar right-wing revolt.