US Speaker Mike Johnson May Pay Political Price for Ukraine Deal
After Months of Delay, House Approves $95 Billion Aid Package
Updated April 20, 2024 at 3:27 pm
The House of Representatives voted resoundingly on Saturday to approve $95 billion in aid to Ukraine. The vote came after months of delay and increasingly dire warnings about the consequences of inaction.
Johnson Sticks to His Guns
House Speaker Mike Johnson announced Wednesday that he is sticking with his plan to put a series of foreign aid bills to a vote next week, despite opposition from the White House and much of Congress.
For months, Johnson has rejected calls from the White House and much of Congress to allow a vote on a comprehensive aid package for Ukraine. He has argued that such a package would be too expensive and would not be effective in deterring Russian aggression.
The biggest of the four bills provides $60.84 billion to address the conflict in Ukraine, including $23 billion in military aid.
The House of Representatives will have its long-awaited vote on aid for Ukraine and Israel next week. The vote is expected to be close, and Johnson could face a political backlash if the bills are defeated.
Johnson said the UK would more than double its loan guarantee to Ukraine through the World Bank to $1 billion.
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