Speaker Mike Johnson faced strong opposition from fellow Republicans as he navigated a complex and politically risky strategy to pass legislation in the House for aid to Israel and Ukraine, all while fending off threats to his own position.
Mr. Johnson has grappled with how to move forward with aid to Ukraine, which many in his party oppose. His plan involves creating bipartisan coalitions and allowing different factions in the House to voice their concerns about parts of the aid package without derailing the entire effort. To succeed, he will need support from Democrats and mainstream Republicans to pass the legislation, despite resistance from hard-right Republicans and left-wing Democrats.
The legislative package mirrors a $95 billion aid bill passed by the Senate, with aid for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and other allies split into three separate pieces for individual votes. There will also be a fourth vote on a measure containing other policies favored by Republicans, such as conditioning aid to Ukraine as a loan.
However, Mr. Johnson’s strategy has faced opposition from within his own party, with Representative Thomas Massie announcing his support for a bid to remove Johnson from his leadership role.
Mr. Massie criticized the aid package, likening it to what Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer wants. Mr. Johnson defended his approach, stating that it allows members to vote based on their district and conscience on each issue separately.
If all four pieces pass the House, they will be combined into a single bill for the Senate to consider. Mr. Schumer expressed reservations about the package, pending further details on the proposal and its process.
Despite some conservative pushback, Mr. Johnson remains resolute in his decision and has ruled out resigning from his position.
A group of mainstream conservatives endorsed Mr. Johnson’s plan, emphasizing the importance of passing the aid package for national security interests. The House floor vote on the package would require Democratic support due to Republican opposition.
Democrats have indicated a willingness to assist Mr. Johnson on critical issues, potentially providing the support needed to move the legislation forward. Representative Jared Moskowitz suggested he would support Mr. Johnson if hard-right Republicans attempted to remove him.
Michael Gold contributed reporting from New York.
