The US Senate has approved a bill for $95bn worth of foreign aid – thanks to the Republican speaker of the House risking his career to get it there.
On 20 April, the US House of Representatives authorized a monumental $95bn in foreign aid, including $60bn allocated for Ukraine. This bill also included funds for Israel and to counter Chinese expansion in the Indo-Pacific. The passage of this Ukraine package was significant not only due to bipartisan support but also because it involved a courageous move by Mike Johnson, the Republican Speaker of the House, who allowed the bill to be brought to the floor after months of hesitation and delay.
Johnson’s decision to bring the Ukraine aid bill to the House floor, despite intense opposition from a large portion of his party, marked a pivotal moment in his leadership. While Democrats were united in their support for Ukraine, more than 100 Republicans also voted in favor of the bill, signaling a rare bipartisan agreement on the issue. However, Johnson’s action came at personal and political risk. The GOP has been deeply divided over the issue of Ukraine aid, with Trumpists and other right-wing factions within the party opposing further support for Ukraine.
In the months leading up to the vote, Johnson had delayed bringing the measure to the House, wary of the political consequences of alienating members of his party who were firmly against sending aid to Ukraine. Despite the internal GOP division, Johnson stood firm in his belief that the situation required decisive action. Reflecting on his decision, Johnson noted the weight of history and the importance of standing up for what is right, regardless of the potential fallout. “If I operated out of fear over a motion to vacate, I would never be able to do my job,” he said, emphasizing the gravity of the moment.
Johnson’s willingness to risk his career to pass the bill was driven by his sense of responsibility, both to the US and to Ukraine in the context of the ongoing conflict with Russia. “This is a critical time right now on the world stage,” he said. For Johnson, providing military aid to Ukraine was not just a political decision but a moral one. He framed it as a necessary action to support the global balance of power and to send a strong message to Russia and the international community.
Despite the political risks, Johnson’s leadership helped bring the bill to fruition, and it now moves to the Senate for approval. His actions are likely to be remembered as a turning point in the ongoing debate over US foreign policy and the role of the Republican Party in shaping that policy. For Johnson, this moment represents both a challenge to his own party’s hardline factions and an affirmation of his commitment to US interests abroad.
The passage of the $95bn bill, which marks a significant step in US foreign policy, stands as a testament to Johnson’s determination and political courage in the face of opposition from within his own party. As the bill now heads to the Senate, Johnson’s risk-taking will likely be judged by history—both for its impact on Ukraine’s defense and for its broader implications on US foreign policy.
