The House of Representatives approves $95 billion in aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan

The House of Representatives on Saturday passed a series of foreign aid bills that allocate $60.8 billion to Ukraine, $26.4 billion to Israel and $8 billion to Taiwan and other Indo-Pacific allies.

Another bill, passed by a vote of 360-58, would force the sale of TikTok and impose tough sanctions on Iran, China and Russia. An amendment to that bill would require the Treasury Department to submit a report on Iranian assets and sanctions waivers.

The four bills will now be sent to the Senate as a package. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Saturday that the Senate will take up the bills Tuesday afternoon.

The bill providing $8 billion in security assistance for the Indo-Pacific region, including Taiwan, passed overwhelmingly in the House of Representatives by a vote of 385-34-1. The Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan was the only member to vote present.

The House passed the Foreign Aid to Ukraine Act by a vote of 311-112-1.

The House passed the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act by a vote of 366-58.

Democrats briefly waved Ukrainian flags during the vote, a move that prompted House Speaker Mike Johnson to remind them that it was a violation for members to wave flags on the floor.

Earlier, a GOP border security bill was defeated on a 215-199 vote. It was considered suspended and did not obtain a two-thirds majority. This bill was separate from the four foreign aid bills.

After Democrats helped Chairman Mike Johnson avoid defeat and advance the legislation on Friday, lawmakers considered the amendments and held a debate Saturday before voting on final passage.

President Joe Biden thanked House members for passing a foreign aid package for Ukraine and Israel, saying the package comes at a “critical turning point” for those countries.

“It comes at a time of great urgency, as Israel faces unprecedented attacks from Iran, and Ukraine faces continued bombardment from Russia,” Biden said in a statement on Saturday.

Biden also pointed to the “much-needed humanitarian assistance to Gaza, Sudan and Haiti” included in the funding. Biden praised the work of leaders in the House of Representatives and the bipartisan group of lawmakers who he said “voted to put our national security first,” and called on the Senate to get the package to his desk.

“I urge the Senate to quickly send this package to my desk so I can sign it into law and we can quickly send weapons and equipment to Ukraine to meet their urgent battlefield needs,” he added. Biden to it.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the bill’s passage with bipartisan support in a statement on X, formerly Twitter.

“I am grateful to the United States House of Representatives, both parties, and Speaker Mike Johnson personally for the decision that keeps history on track. Democracy and freedom will always have global significance and will never fail as long as America helps protect human rights. it,” Zelenskyy said in a statement.

He added: “The crucial US aid bill passed by the House of Representatives today will prevent the war from spreading, save thousands upon thousands of lives and help both of our countries grow stronger. We hope that the bills will be supported and passed in the Senate. to President Biden’s desk. Thank you, America!”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also thanked the House for approving the aid.

“The U.S. Congress just overwhelmingly passed a highly acclaimed relief bill that demonstrates strong bipartisan support for Israel and defends Western civilization. Thank you friends, thank you America!” Netanyahu said in a Tweet on X.

Can the chairman be impeached?

Johnson’s attempt to get the aid across the finish line has angered some of the far-right members of his conference, creating a growing threat to his speakership.

A third Republican, Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona, announced Friday he would join a threatened motion to impeach Johnson just after the relief bills were advanced.

Georgia’s Marjorie Taylor Greene introduced the motion last month, accusing Johnson of “siding with the Democrats” after working across the aisle to prevent a government shutdown.

After Johnson unveiled his plan to move forward on foreign aid, Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky became the second hardliner to support Greene’s cause. Massie called on Johnson to resign, a suggestion Johnson flatly rejected.

All three lawmakers have expressed frustration that Johnson is making progress on foreign aid without addressing immigration. Although a bipartisan border deal was brokered by a group of senators earlier this year, it was quickly deemed dead on arrival by former President Donald Trump and Johnson.

“Our border cannot be an afterthought,” Gosar said in a statement. “We need a Speaker who will put America first, instead of bowing to the reckless demands of the warmongers, the neo-conservatives and the military-industrial complex that makes billions from a costly and endless war halfway around the world.” .’

Green did not act on Saturday to impeach the speaker before the House adjourned until April 29, although she claimed her coalition against Johnson is growing.

“I’m actually letting my colleagues go home and listen to their constituents because I think people here in America are too obsessed with voting for foreign wars and the murder industry to actually understand how angry Americans are,” Greene said. said Saturday.

Johnson said on Friday that the bills are “not perfect legislation” but “the best possible product” in the circumstances.

It remains to be seen when and if the hardliners force a vote on the motion to vacate the speaker’s seat. If they do, Democrats might have to step in to save Johnson’s job.

Several Democrats told ABC News on Saturday that they are open to rescuing Speaker Johnson — if Greene makes good on her threat to call for a vote to impeach him — if Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries gives them permission, or at least doesn’t. oppose the move.

ABC News White House Correspondent MaryAlice Parks asked the administration whether President Joe Biden had discussed that possibility with Speaker Johnson during their phone call earlier this week.

“We do not interfere with leadership in the Senate or House of Representatives,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. “We are very conscious of it. That is something that the members, in this case the members in Congress, have to decide.”

-Jay O’Brien of ABC News contributed to this report.