165 Democrats save Speaker Mike Johnson's $95 billion foreign aid package from ... trends now
In an extraordinarily rare move, Democrats came to the rescue on Friday to help pass a rule to advance a group of four bills to offer aid to U.S. allies around the world.
165 Democrats voted with 151 Republicans to pass a rule and begin debate on the funding for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan. There were 55 Republicans who opposed the rule.
Conservative hardliners have taken to paralyzing House business by opposing the typically procedural rule vote this Congress. They've thwarted Speaker Mike Johnson's agenda seven times with the tactic.
Conservative hardliners have taken to paralyzing House business by opposing the typically procedural rule vote this Congress . They've thwarted Speaker Mike Johnson 's agenda seven times with the tactic
House Democrats, led by Hakeem Jeffries, helped Republicans pass the rule
The majority party is typically responsible for passing the rule. The minority party usually votes 'no' on the rule to begin debate on legislation even if they support the bills' final passage.
The only other time Democrats helped Republicans with a rule vote was to raise the debt ceiling and avoid U.S. default under former Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
The House can now begin debate and vote on amendments to a package of four bills that make up the $95 billion foreign aid package.
A final vote on the four bills is scheduled for Saturday, after which they will be sent to the Senate.
Before the vote Friday, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul told reporters that classified intelligence briefings about Ukraine had a 'big impact' in influencing Johnson's decision to bring the foreign aid up for a vote.
Johnson previously dragged his feet for months on bringing foreign aid to the floor.
The package in total would offer $26 billion to Israel, $60 billion to Ukraine and $8 billion to the Indo-Pacific, a combination of military and humanitarian aid. It is made up of four separate bills, including one for each region.
The Israel security bill will offer $4 billion to replenish Israel's Iron Dome Missile Defense system and billions more for weapons systems, artillery and munitions, as well as an additional $2.4 billion for U.S. operations in the region.
