Mike Johnson’s Ukraine-Israel Aid Plan Implodes as Republicans Rebel

WASHINGTON—Speaker Mike Johnson’s plans for the House to move long-stalled funding for Ukraine, Israel and other overseas allies were near collapse, with some conservatives again demanding border provisions in exchange for their support, while Democrats prepared a backup plan to try to force through aid.

The setback to Johnson comes as his political powers—always limited due his narrow majority in the chamber and need to often rely on Democratic votes to pass key legislation—were at a new ebb. On Tuesday, a second GOP lawmaker signed on to a motion to remove Johnson from office, and some lawmakers said they believe his career in leadership could be effectively over, whether now or at the end of the term.

Republicans remained divided Wednesday over Johnson’s plan to send aid to U.S. allies, which comprises four bills and adds additional measures such as tapping Russian oligarchs’ assets to fund assistance for Kyiv. The speaker’s plan, unveiled earlier in the week, didn’t include any immigration policy provisions or money for securing the U.S.-Mexico border, a longstanding demand of many conservatives.

Johnson met with Republicans from all corners of his conference late into Tuesday night, trying to craft a way forward on legislation, and talks continued on Wednesday. Johnson had hoped to release the final text of the proposal, give members 72 hours to read it and then hold a vote by the end of the week, but that goal appeared to be slipping away.

Johnson has said for weeks he planned to lay out his approach on foreign aid, months after the Senate passed a $95 billion measure that wrapped together money for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and humanitarian efforts. The House effort gained new urgency after Iran launched a wave of more than 300 drones and cruise and ballistic missiles toward Israel, while conditions in Ukraine have continued to deteriorate.

Proponents of the aid money said Johnson should stand firm on his original proposal, as attaching any immigration policy provisions wouldn’t pass in the Senate. Johnson’s plan envisions four bills—one each for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan and a fourth bill containing many Republican priorities, including a ban or forced sale of TikTok in the U.S.

Republicans who support sending aid to Ukraine were threatening to sign a petition that would force a vote on aid, according to people familiar with the discussions, and Democratic leaders were encouraging members to reach out to GOP colleagues.

Nearly all Democrats have signed the discharge petition that is focused on bringing the bill the Senate passed in February for aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan to the floor for a vote. Congressional leaders of both parties and President Biden have urged Johnson to take up the Senate bill.

A successful petition would push the aid through without forcing Johnson to take the politically tenuous step of scheduling a bill on Ukraine aid for a vote himself. Still, the petition maneuver rarely works and was last used in 2015.

“I hope that the speaker understands that we’re not here to see him fail, but we have to deliver wins for the American people—and when you have an open border, a war in Israel… and you’re seeing a financial drain on this country with a request for more and more funding for Ukraine, I just don’t think that’s sustainable,” Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R., Fla.) said on Fox Business after her meeting with Johnson.

The tumult among House Republicans is likely to further delay money to U.S. allies. The House first passed an Israel-only aid bill in November that has not moved forward in the Senate. The Senate passed its package in February with bipartisan support. Johnson pronounced that a nonstarter in the House but had promised to do something.

Polls show more Republican voters think the U.S. is doing too much for Ukraine. Still, many GOP defense hawks are eager for the aid to pass, and they are growing more anxious as the Ukrainians run low on ammunition and other military equipment while Russia advances further into Ukrainian territory.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R., Ga.) filed a motion to vacate last month, which could lead to Johnson being ousted. The previous speaker, Kevin McCarthy, was removed when Rep. Matt Gaetz (R., Fla.) used the procedure last year. Greene hasn’t called for a vote. On Tuesday, Rep. Thomas Massie (R., Ky.) joined Greene and called for Johnson to resign. The speaker vowed to stay in his post.

While Greene and Massie haven’t said they would call for a vote, the move shows how Johnson’s work to pass funding for U.S. allies abroad could be the last straw.

Still, most members oppose sending the House into tumult to choose a new speaker.

“Calling a motion to vacate right now is like sacking your own quarterback in the red zone,” said Rep. Burgess Owens in a tweet, while adding that it was time for the Senate to vote on an immigration bill that the House passed last year.

If it came to a vote, Johnson would only be able to lose two Republican votes and still keep his post, unless some Democrats in the chamber decide to bail him out. Wisconsin GOP Rep. Mike Gallagher also plans to leave Congress on Friday, making the majority even slimmer.

Though Democrats have indicated that they would step in to save Johnson’s job if Republicans moved to oust him over Ukraine, the help from across the aisle would serve to weaken the speaker who is elected to lead his party.

Write to Natalie Andrews at [email protected]