WASHINGTON, D.C. – Over the weekend, the House passed a foreign aid package totaling about $95-billion dollars, which will deliver funds for Ukraine, Israel and US allies in the Indo Pacific. House Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R- LA) decision to put the bills up for a vote comes after months of Republican infighting and debate over additional aid for Ukraine.
Congress has been deeply divided on this foreign aid, especially the additional $61-billion dollars for Ukraine. The House voted Saturday on the four different bills: aid for Ukraine, Israel, the Indo Pacific and a fourth bill that included some GOP priorities like sanctions for Iran and legislation that can lead to a nationwide ban of the social media app TikTok.
Speaker Johnson had to work with Democrats to pass the Ukraine aid. There were 101 Republicans that voted for it and 112 that voted against it.
Some that did vote ‘no’ said they had issues with some of the provisions in the bill. They are worried that Ukraine will not be able to repay the US back for the loans to help them rebuild their infrastructure. Other members that voted ‘yes’ said Putin has made recent advances in Ukraine that threatens the security of Europe. They add that the money from the bill will allow the US to build more weapons and replenish America’s defense industrial base.
Guam’s Delegate Jim Moylan (R- GUAM) tried to include amendments in the foreign aid package, which would’ve provided additional funding for Guam missile defense and funding for critical repairs for Guam’s Breakwater. However, those amendments were not included in the final version. His office sent us this statement:
“Unfortunately at the 11th hour the Rules Committee made a decision to not include any amendments that proposed an increase in the top line appropriation, as a means to ensure the measure would pass the floor. They also wanted to prevent any poison pills. While this was disappointing on one end, as we had whipped up the support within the committee at the onset, we were given an assurance that our amendments would be provided a priority as we move towards the NDAA, Appropriations MilCon and Defense. Those discussions commence shortly. There is much interest in the breakwater, that the chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, who will be meeting us on Guam at the latter part of the week, is prioritizing gathering additional information on this issue.”
Congressman Jim Moylan’s office
Speaker Johnson has been under immense pressure from hardline conservatives who are against sending more aid to Ukraine. However, Johnson defied their warnings and could face a motion to vacate because of it.
“As I’ve said many times, I don’t walk around this building being worried about a motion to vacate,” said Speaker Johnson following the House vote on Saturday. “I have to do my job, you do the right thing and you let the chips fall where they may.”
Members are gone this week so we will have to see if those disgruntled Republicans will move forward with that motion to vacate.
Meanwhile in the Senate, members are expected to vote on this on Wednesday or Thursday. President Biden told Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy when the Senate passes it, he will sign it and send the weapons and funds to them as soon as possible.
