The House is scheduled to vote on a foreign aid package this Saturday following a decision made on Friday to bring the measures to the floor for a vote. The package, which includes aid for Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific Region, has garnered more support from Democrats than Republicans. This outcome has posed a challenge for House Speaker Mike Johnson, who is facing internal opposition over the aid package.
The House's aid package closely resembles a bill that was passed by the Senate back in February. However, House Republicans have introduced an additional bill that incorporates other GOP priorities. These priorities include imposing sanctions on Iran and a provision that could potentially result in a ban on TikTok.
Initially, Johnson had expressed reluctance to bring the aid package to the floor, despite President Joe Biden's persistent calls for bipartisan cooperation in passing the crucial aid measures, especially emphasizing the significance of aid to Ukraine. Former President Donald Trump had also voiced opposition to the aid, suggesting that the U.S. should only provide foreign assistance in the form of loans.
However, Johnson's stance has since shifted due to recent global events. Over the weekend, Iran launched an attack on Israel, leading to heightened tensions in the region, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. These developments have prompted Johnson to reconsider his position on the aid package.
