The U.S. House approved $95 billion in foreign aid over the weekend, restoring optimism that American leadership will continue to repel adversaries who threaten free people in Ukraine and elsewhere.
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., combined the fortitude to stand up for what is right with a deft strategy to push aid for Ukraine through his chamber, despite more than half his own conference allying against his efforts. In a vote of 311-112 that relied on Democrats for passage, Johnson notched a victory that should be celebrated — and quickly passed by the Senate.
“Across the globe, our allies and partners are facing increasing threats to freedom and democracy — and action is long overdue,” said Washington Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez.
The first-term Democrat had been among the first lawmakers to pressure Johnson with efforts to bring to a vote aid legislation without the speaker’s approval, through what are known as discharge petitions. That pressure could only have helped achieve Saturday’s momentous vote.
About 74% of Americans consider the war in Ukraine to be important to U.S. interests, according to a Pew survey. About 75% feel the same way about the conflict between Israel and Hamas; 75% also feel the same about escalating tensions between China and Taiwan. The House, through Johnson’s leadership, passed Saturday billions of dollars in aid for all three situations.
The Republican Party’s narrow-minded “America First” impulses, pushed by former President Donald Trump, have emboldened authoritarian rulers like Vladimir Putin.
On the campaign trail, Trump has been railing against foreign aid, among his most common gripes. Yet Johnson managed to avoid the former president’s wrath, it appears, with a recent visit to Mar-a-Lago and adding a condition to the Ukrainian aid that makes it a loan rather than a grant, The Wall Street Journal reported. Johnson’s strategy provided a path for the aid vote’s success.
Since Republicans took over the House in January 2023, chaos has ruled. Their first speaker, California Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy, also got to be the first one ever fired. Sideshow tactics, including the impeachment of President Joe Biden’s Department of Homeland Security secretary, hurt Ukrainian efforts to fight back against Putin. U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, who presided over Alejandro Mayorkas’ trial, said it “left a dangerous chip in the foundations of our democracy.”
In these hyperpartisan times, the coalition of a conservative Louisiana Republican joining forces with nearly every Democrat in the House to pass life-or-death aid to Ukraine is worth celebrating. Is it overdue? Unquestionably. But it’s never too late to defend democracy.
The White House called the House vote a “powerful message about the strength of American leadership at a pivotal moment.” Putin’s indefensible invasion of a sovereign neighbor cannot succeed. His warmongering must be stopped there; any other result emboldens him elsewhere.
Speaker Johnson’s change of heart was stunning. In May 2022, he was among just 57 House members — all Republicans — to vote against a previous $40 billion package for Ukraine.
Johnson’s welcome turnabout involved listening to the nation’s top national security officials; praying; and worrying about his son, who will soon enroll in the United States Naval Academy.
“I would rather send bullets to Ukraine than American boys,” he said last week. “This is a live-fire exercise for me and for so many American families.”
Johnson’s laudable leadership may cost him his job. Already, hard-line Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene filed a “motion to vacate,” to remove the speaker from office, and two other lawmakers have joined as co-sponsors.
Leadership and service to the American people and the nation’s interests are what’s important here. Johnson should be commended for his courage in standing up for what is right.
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