The fissures within the Republican Party were laid bare as the House of Representatives grappled with a contentious $95 billion foreign aid package, which, after significant delay, was brought to a vote by Speaker Mike Johnson. The package, crucial for Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression, saw a bipartisan push—resulting in a 210-101 split among Republicans—exposing the chasm between the party’s factions.
Despite heavy infighting and threats to his speakership, Johnson stood firm on the necessity of the aid, declaring it “critically important” and “the right thing” to do. He stated, “I believe that Vladimir Putin and Iran really are an axis of evil… I think that Vladimir Putin would continue to march through Europe.” His bold move was met with backlash, particularly from the far-right contingent within the GOP, who have grown openly hostile to aiding Ukraine.
Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, a notable figure in this contingent, immediately filed a resolution demanding Johnson’s removal and called the aid bill a “sham.” She sharply criticized Johnson on Steve Bannon’s War Room channel, stating, “The days are over of the old Republican party that wants to fund foreign wars and murder people in foreign lands.” Taylor Greene went further by accusing Ukraine of waging “a war against Christianity, Russia is not doing that. They’re not attacking Christianity.” (In fact, according to figures from the Institute for Religious Freedom, a Ukrainian group, at least 630 religious sites had been damaged or looted in Russia’s invasion by December last year.)
While the party’s presumptive presidential nominee, Donald Trump, has backed Johnson along with the chairs of key House committees, the far-right faction remains discontented. They oppose foreign aid without concessions on domestic issues such as border security.
The Ukraine aid portion includes roughly $60 billion in assistance, crucial as the country faces a dire need for military supplies including artillery shells and air defense missiles.
Tthe passage of the aid drawing praise from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who thanked the House and Johnson personally. The bill’s success in the House, expected to be echoed in the Senate, positions President Joe Biden to sign it into law.
Relevant articles:
– Republicans erupt into open warfare over Ukraine aid package vote,theguardian.com, 04/21/2024
– Marjorie Taylor Greene renews attacks on speaker as House passes Ukraine aid, The Guardian US, Sun, 21 Apr 2024 17:05:00 GMT
– Despite Intense GOP Infighting, House Passes $95 Billion Foreign Aid Package, Vanity Fair, Sun, 21 Apr 2024 15:08:46 GMT
– By passing Ukraine aid, the accidental speaker became an unlikely Churchill, Yahoo New Zealand News, Sun, 21 Apr 2024 01:37:00 GMT