- Sputnik International, 1920
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

DC Think Tank: House Could Kill Ukraine Aid Bill

© AP Photo / Alex BrandonSpeaker-elect Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., puts the gavel down before speaking at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023.
Speaker-elect Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., puts the gavel down before speaking at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023. - Sputnik International, 1920, 23.01.2024
Subscribe
House Republicans could block a hefty Ukraine aid package even if a bipartisan border security and immigration deal is passed, suggests the latest report by the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft.
Republican and Democratic senators have engaged in a series of negotiations regarding President Joe Biden's proposed $100 billion package for Ukraine. Senate leaders, Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), have expressed optimism about the bipartisan Ukraine aid-border security agreement's prospects.
Last year, the multi-billion package for Ukraine, as well as aid for Israel and the island of Taiwan, became stuck in the US Congress after the GOP deemed the border security issue to be an absolute priority.
According to Blaise Malley, a reporter for Responsible Statecraft and a former associate editor at The National Interest, it is uncertain whether the House of Representatives would align with the upper chamber's position, despite the bipartisan agreement on border issues being on the horizon.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. - Sputnik International, 1920, 23.01.2024
Americas
Ukraine Issue ‘Pretty Much Sidelined’ in US - Ex-Assistant Treasury Secretary
Malley referred to House Speaker Mike Johnson's firm stance with regard to the implementation of sweeping migration reforms and his concerns about Ukraine aid oversight and Kiev's strategy.
"We need the questions answered about the strategy, about the endgame and about the accountability for the precious treasure of the American people," Johnson told journalists after a January 17 meeting with President Biden and other congressional leaders at the White House. The House speaker also stressed that the border issue should still come first. Rep. Johnson has a record of consistently voting against Ukraine aid in the past.
A GOP conference on Ukraine aid is due to be held on January 24 following the request by a group of Senate Republicans, led by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Malley noted, adding that support for further bankrolling Ukraine is beginning to steadily wither among House Republicans.
US President Joe Biden - Sputnik International, 1920, 15.01.2024
Americas
Death of US Journo Lira Means Biden Jeopardizes American Lives From Ukraine to Mideast
What's more, some GOP lawmakers even threatened to introduce a "motion to vacate" against the incumbent House speaker, if he allows another package of Ukraine aid to pass.
"Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene tells me 'I would introduce the motion to vacate myself' if Speaker Johnson passes funding to Ukraine," Axios congressional reporter Andrew Solender tweeted on January 17.
Last October, the so-called Freedom Caucus forced then-Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy to step down after Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida forced the vote on the "motion to vacate."
According to Malley, Speaker Johnson is unlikely to go against the Freedom Caucus for many reasons, one of which is that it may upend his relations with leading Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

But that is not all: the multi-billion aid bill, which also includes at least $10 billion for Israel, has come under scrutiny from some Democratic congressmen who are seeking to obligate Tel Aviv to observe human rights in its war against Gaza. Since the conflict started, 25,105 Palestinians have been killed in the region, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

The RS reporter pointed out that 18 Senators on January 19 announced their support for an amendment to the national security supplemental that would require "that the weapons received by any country under this bill are used in accordance with US law, international humanitarian law and the law of armed conflict."
"The path to passing this legislation is filled with roadblocks and question marks," Malley wrote. "Biden has implored Congress to approve his proposal as soon as possible, but even as incremental progress is made, final passage still appears to be a ways away."
US President Joe Biden addresses the nation on the conflict between Israel and Gaza and the Russian invasion of Ukraine from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on October 19, 2023 - Sputnik International, 1920, 18.01.2024
World
Biden Warns Congress Lack of Ukraine Aid Could Lead to US Troops on Ground
Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала