House Republicans Rebel Against Speaker Mike Johnson's $95 Billion Foreign Aid Bill - 'It's Surrender'

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson made a significant move on Wednesday, unveiling a $95 billion foreign aid package. The package includes $61 billion for Ukraine, $26 billion for Israel, $8 billion for Indo-Pacific, and significant amounts for humanitarian assistance to Gaza. However, it's worth noting that the package doesn't allocate any funds for the crisis at the southern border. This decision has sparked controversy, with several hardline Republicans expressing their opposition to Speaker Johnson's refusal to separate out the package as promised.

Despite promising to separate out Ukraine funding and Israel funding, Speaker Johnson rescinded that and has instead decided to package everything together. The Louisiana Republican explained his reasoning in a letter to his colleagues. "After significant Member feedback and discussion, the House Rules Committee will be posting soon today the text of three bills that will fund America's national security interests and allies in Israel, the Indo-Pacific, and Ukraine, including a loan structure for aid, and enhanced strategy and accountability," Johnson wrote, adding that the legislation will go to the House floor for a vote on Saturday. While the bill does issue Ukraine aid in the form of a loan, that loan can be 50 percent forgiven by President Biden in November and then fully forgiven by 2026. 

Notably, the legislation doesn't include any funding for the southern border. This demand has long been a priority for the GOP, with Johnson backing the prioritization of border security over foreign aid funding. It seems, however, that Johnson has changed his tune. 

The aid package has sparked strong reactions from key figures in the House GOP. House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good (R-VA) has called on all America First lawmakers to vote against the legislation. He posted on X, stating, "Every true conservative America First patriot in the House should vote against the rule for this borrowed foreign aid bill with no border security!" 

Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-FL) told CNN that he is disappointed by the speaker's actions. "I proposed different paths for the speaker that would have avoided the abject surrender represented by his strategic choice here. There is no other way to describe it. It's surrender. I won't support it."

The revolt amongst many in the House Freedom Caucus is a worrying sign for Johnson, who hopes to maintain his speakership. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) have both said they would back a motion to vacate. However, Democrats have said they would bail the speaker out if he faced losing his job.

Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) has come out in support of Johnson, writing, "My position hasn't changed. Massie wants the world to burn, I won't stand by and watch. I have a bucket of water." Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY) also said that he would vote to keep Johnson as speaker if a handful of House Republicans moved to vacate him.

WATCH:
 

Matt Gaetz is voting NO on foreign aid bill:

"It is surrender, it is disappointing. I won’t support it.”pic.twitter.com/q15IPatGVY

— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) April 17, 2024

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