Embattled Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has found new allies among the GOP moderates in Congress, as Georgia firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's bid to oust him gains more support from hard right Republicans.
Johnson is expected to release a foreign aid package, with money for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan this week, but the text of the bill is still under construction, Capitol insiders are reportedly saying. With Republicans facing a razor-thin majority, Johnson will also need substantial support from Democrats to get anything through the House.
At the same time, however, aid for Ukraine is a divisive issue with the GOP. Greene, who has threatened to oust Johnson, is notably opposed to any funding for embattled country's defense.
"Funding Ukraine is probably one of the most egregious things that he can do," the Georgia congresswoman told CNN, earlier this month. On Tuesday, Greene gained an ally for her ouster bid in the form of Rep. Thomas Massie (R-W.V.), who publicly called on Johnson to resign.
Members of the hardline conservative Freedom Caucus have called on Johnson to amend the foreign aid bill to include funding for border security and offset any money sent to Ukraine and Israel with budget cuts elsewhere.
Some lawmakers, including Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), have also pitched a bill that would fund Israel and not Ukraine. It is unlikely, however, that this version of the legislation would gain the necessary support of House Democrats.
Several moderate members of the GOP released a statement this week, reiterating their support of Johnson's original package.
"There is nothing our adversaries would love more than if Congress were to fail to pass critical national security aid. Speaker Johnson has produced a plan that will boost U.S. national security interests in Europe, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific," Representatives Michael McCaul, Mike Rogers, Mike Turner, Tom Cole, Ken Calvert and Mario Díaz-Balart.
"We don't have time to spare when it comes to our national security. We need to pass this aid package this week."
