House Republicans faced a critical hurdle on Thursday night as they worked to advance a long-stalled foreign aid bill for Ukraine and Israel. In a surprising turn of events, they were forced to rely on Democratic votes to move the plan forward.
The 9-to-3 vote in the Rules Committee was a significant step in the complex process of approving the $95 billion aid package. The vote highlighted the division within the Republican party, with far-right members expressing anger over Speaker Mike Johnson’s strategy to push the legislation through.
Despite opposition from some far-right Republicans on the committee, Democrats stepped in to save the bill, breaking with tradition to advance the plan out of committee. This move underscored the speaker’s reliance on Democratic support to pass the aid package.
The Rules Committee, typically controlled by the speaker, saw an unusual bipartisan vote to advance the bill. Democrats are expected to play a crucial role in approving the rule on the House floor, allowing the aid package to move forward.
The foreign aid package includes support for both Israel and Ukraine, with separate votes planned for each. Far-right lawmakers objected to the lack of a vote on border security provisions, leading to a standoff within the committee.
Speaker Johnson expressed confidence in passing the aid package, emphasizing the importance of supporting Ukraine to deter Russian aggression. The House is expected to vote on the bill on Saturday, with Democrats playing a key role in its passage.
