Staff Reports
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is finally making some moves when it comes to the foreign aid bill for Ukraine, and boy, is it a doozy! In an interview with Fox News, Johnson hinted at some changes he wants to see in the aid proposal before he’ll give it the green light. He’s calling these changes “important innovations,” and they’re definitely shaking things up on Capitol Hill.
Johnson wants to include a proposal known as the REPO Act in the aid bill, which would essentially seize frozen Russian assets and give them to Ukraine to fight against the Kremlin. It’s like taking candy from a baby, but in this case, the candy is Russia’s assets and the baby is Ukraine. Johnson is calling it “pure poetry,” and let’s just say it’s got the potential to make Russia pay for its invasion.
Well looks like @SpeakerJohnson has another Ukraine Funding bill that they need to push forward, but not till he tweaks it some is what he is saying. Hey Mike lists close & secure the border, first. No Ukraine money. https://t.co/ZcCBpshU6e
— Smurf ❌ (@Smurf4555) April 1, 2024
But that’s not all! Johnson also floated the idea of providing aid to Ukraine as a loan that could be paid back once the war is over. It’s like giving your friend some money and saying, “Pay me back when you can,” but on a much larger scale. And if that wasn’t enough, he’s also throwing in a plan to approve Ukraine aid in exchange for expanding natural gas shipments – a real punch in the gut to the Biden administration’s decision to freeze liquefied natural gas exports. Talk about a power move!
Now, Republicans are all on board with these ideas, especially the one where they can make Russia squirm a little by taking their assets and giving Ukraine a hand up. They’re even criticizing the Biden administration’s decision to pause LNG exports, saying it will only make Russia stronger. Seems like they’ve got some strong opinions about this aid bill, but then again, when don’t they?
And let’s not forget the drama happening within Congress itself. There are two competing discharge petitions floating around, trying to bring Ukraine aid to the floor, but neither one has enough support without Johnson’s nod. It’s like a game of tug-of-war, and right now, Johnson’s got the rope in his hands. But some lawmakers are willing to make changes to get the ball rolling, including Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), who’s open to Johnson’s ideas in order to get the aid bill moving.
Overall, it looks like Johnson is feeling the heat from all sides, but he’s made it clear that he’s going to push something through when lawmakers return from recess. And with all these twists and turns in the story, it’s safe to say this foreign aid bill saga is far from over.
