The House Rules Committee recently advanced a package of bills aimed at providing aid to Israel, Ukraine, and other allies. The move was made possible with the help of some Democrats supporting a procedural vote for Republican bills.
Despite the bipartisan support, Republican Representatives Chip Roy, Thomas Massie, and Ralph Norman voted against the rule due to a lack of conservative border security provisions paired with assistance to Ukraine, as previously pushed by House Speaker Mike Johnson.
The vote now enables the full House to begin debates on the foreign aid bills, with bipartisan coalitions expected to pass them. This minority support of a majority rule is rare and poses a threat to Johnson’s speakership, as several Republican members have called for a higher threshold to bring a motion to oust the speaker.
Rep. Mike Lawler and the Republican Main Street caucus have emphasized the need for a change in the threshold to prevent one person from holding the conference hostage. However, several hardliners have expressed opposition to changing the threshold, while Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has co-sponsored a motion to vacate the speakership along with Rep. Thomas Massie.
Democratic leaders have not committed to saving Johnson if the motion to vacate comes to the floor. The uncertainty surrounding Johnson’s speakership and the divisions within the Republican party highlight the ongoing tensions in Congress regarding foreign aid and leadership issues.
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