On Thursday night, the House Rules Committee advanced a series of foreign aid bills with the help of Democratic support, indicating that Republicans may need to rely on bipartisan cooperation to pass the legislation. Despite opposition from three Republican members on the committee, all Democrats voted in favor of the bills.
The four bills are set to move to the House floor for a vote on Friday, with a final passage vote expected on Saturday. House Speaker Mike Johnson hinted at an early Saturday vote for the package, although exact timing is still being determined.
If the bills are approved by the House, they will be consolidated into a single amendment before being sent to the Senate for further consideration.
The House Freedom Caucus has urged Republicans to oppose the procedural vote, citing concerns about border security. The aid package includes provisions for Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific region to counter Chinese aggression, along with additional measures such as sanctions on Iran and potential restrictions on TikTok.
The total funding for the aid bills amounts to approximately $95 billion, with a portion allocated as a repayable loan for Ukraine. These bills mirror similar legislation that passed the Senate earlier this year.
With a narrow Republican majority in the House, Speaker Johnson may need to secure support from Democrats to navigate procedural challenges, particularly given opposition from some conservative members regarding border security provisions.
The contentious debate over the foreign aid bills has heightened tensions within the GOP, with potential threats to Johnson's leadership. Despite challenges from within his party, Johnson has remained steadfast in his position, dismissing calls for his resignation.
