House Speaker Mike Johnson lost more than 25% of his Republican conference Friday on a procedural vote to advance four foreign aid bills.
The measure passed, 316-94, thanks to the support of Democrats, who typically oppose the majority party’s rules. In this case, however, Johnson, R-La., won the backing of 165 Democrats compared to 151 Republicans. A total of 39 Democrats and 55 Republicans voted against the procedural rule. (See a complete list of those GOP members below.)
More Democrats voted on the Republican rule than Republicans – historic moment.
This rule violated the agreement we had to include the #1 national security issue – border security.
I voted NO. The House is failing the American people by not holding the line on the border. pic.twitter.com/JYgr76kuhH
Losing that many Republican lawmakers on a rule vote is extremely uncommon in the House of Representatives. Such measures are typically party-line votes in which the minority party is united in opposition to the majority.
However, Johnson is counting on House Democrats to secure final passage of the package of four foreign aid bills Saturday and send it to the Senate. So Democrats had good reason Friday to align with the Republican speaker.
It’s unclear if Democrats would do the same to protect Johnson’s leadership post.
?Today, 55 bold conservatives in Washington stood up to their own party and voted against the Swamp’s Ukraine funding scheme.
This is significant. Once again, @HouseGOP legislation passed with Democrat votes.
America Last politicians are being exposed. This is a good thing.
House Republicans, meanwhile, voiced frustration that Johnson didn’t include border security in the four-bill package.
Following the vote, a third GOP lawmaker, Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., announced that he is co-sponsoring a motion to remove Johnson as speaker. Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and Thomas Massie, R-Ky., previously voiced support for ousting Johnson, who became speaker less than six months ago.
“We need a speaker who puts America first rather than bending to the reckless demands of the warmongers, neo-cons and the military industrial complex making billions from a costly and endless war half a world away,” Gosar said.
It’s the latest indication of conservatives’ growing frustration with Johnson. Given the GOP’s narrow 218-213 majority, Johnson would lose the speakership by one vote if all Democrats voted with Gosar, Greene, and Massie on their motion to vacate the speaker’s chair.
Johnson, who has vowed not to resign, defended his controversial decision to bring the foreign aid bills to the House floor in a consolidated package that matches President Joe Biden’s $95.3 billion request.
Johnson’s strategy integrates funding bills for Ukraine ($60.84 billion), Israel ($26.38 billion), and the Indo-Pacific ($8.12 billion) with the 21st Century Peace Through Strength Act, a bill that would impose more sanctions on China, Iran, and Russia.
In addition, the speaker’s strategy incorporates a bill that would require TikTok‘s parent company to sever ties with the Communist Chinese government or cease operations within the United States.
Lawmakers also will vote on a bill related to border security, although it won’t be included in the four-bill package sent to the Senate.
I just voted NO on the rule for the #AmericaLast foreign aid package.
$95 billion in FOREIGN aid with NOTHING to stop the FOREIGN invasion of our own country.
America’s border security should come FIRST.
For months, conservatives have voiced objections to the Senate’s supplemental spending bill, advocating prioritization of border security and separate consideration of each bill.
Heritage Action for America announced its opposition to the rule Friday—a rare stance against a procedural motion.
“The rule put forth by leadership makes the House bills almost identical to the reckless, unrelated supplemental package passed by the Senate,” Heritage Action Executive Vice President Ryan Walker said. “A conservative-led House can and must do better for Americans than promising a watered-down border bill that’s going nowhere and attaching a crucial TikTok bill that’s already passed the chamber.”
“Heritage Action urges responsible, honest action to defend America’s interests—but the rule to combine these four bills fails on both counts,” Walker said.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine two years ago, the United States has allocated about $113 billion to Ukraine, averaging approximately $900 per American household. Despite this, the Biden administration persistently has sought an additional $60 billion from U.S. taxpayers to bolster efforts in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Below is the list of 55 Republicans who voted against the rule Friday.
Here Are the 55 Republicans Who Voted Against Speaker Johnson’s Foreign Aid Scheme
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19.04.2024
House Speaker Mike Johnson lost more than 25% of his Republican conference Friday on a procedural vote to advance four foreign aid bills.
The measure passed, 316-94, thanks to the support of Democrats, who typically oppose the majority party’s rules. In this case, however, Johnson, R-La., won the backing of 165 Democrats compared to 151 Republicans. A total of 39 Democrats and 55 Republicans voted against the procedural rule. (See a complete list of those GOP members below.)
More Democrats voted on the Republican rule than Republicans – historic moment.
This rule violated the agreement we had to include the #1 national security issue – border security.
I voted NO. The House is failing the American people by not holding the line on the border. pic.twitter.com/JYgr76kuhH
Losing that many Republican lawmakers on a rule vote is extremely uncommon in the House of Representatives. Such measures are typically party-line votes in which the minority party is united in opposition to the majority.
However, Johnson is counting on House Democrats to secure final passage of the package of four foreign aid bills Saturday and send it to the Senate. So Democrats had good reason Friday to........
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