Mike Johnson, the speaker, required the assistance of Democrats in order to push forward his foreign aid package worth almost $100 billion. A total of 151 Republicans and 165 Democrats supported the bill, while 55 Republicans opposed the substantial taxpayer-funded package. The proposed legislation aims to allocate funds to Ukraine and Israel, with no allocation for securing the borders of the United States. Former President Trump expressed concerns regarding the funding package in a post on Truth Social:
“Why isn’t Europe giving more money to help Ukraine? Why is it that the United States is over $100 Billion Dollars into the Ukraine War more than Europe, and we have an Ocean between us as separation! Why can’t Europe equalize or match the money put in by the United States of America in order to help a Country in desperate need? As everyone agrees, Ukrainian Survival and Strength should be much more important to Europe than to us, but it is also important to us! GET MOVING EUROPE! In addition, I am the only one who speaks for “ME” and, while it is a total mess caused by Crooked Joe Biden and the Incompetent Democrats, if I were President, this War would have never started!”
The rule vote has initiated a discussion on the four separate bills, which will be followed by votes on amendments and four votes on passage, expected to take place on Saturday.
According to Fox News, it is uncommon for Democrats, or any opposition party, to vote in favor of a rule vote. However, this highlights the sense of urgency that lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have in providing assistance to foreign allies. Here is a list of the 55 Republicans who stood in solidarity with the American people and opposed Speaker Johnson’s extensive foreign aid package:
Rep. Mark Alford (MO), Rep. Jim Baird (IN), Rep. Jim Banks (IN), Rep. Andy Biggs (AZ), Rep. Dan Bishop (NC), Rep. Lauren Boebert (CO), Rep. Josh Brecheen (OK), Rep. Tim Burchett (TN), Rep. Eric Burlison (MO), Rep. Ben Cline (VA), Rep. Michael Cloud (TX), Rep. Andrew Clyde (GA), Rep. Mike Collins (GA), Rep. Eli Crane (AZ), Rep. Warren Davidson (OH), Rep. Scott DesJarlais (TN), Rep. Byron Donalds (FL), Rep. Jeff Duncan (SC), Rep. Russ Fulcher (ID), Rep. Matt Gaetz (FL), Rep. Bob Good (VA), Rep. Lance Gooden (TX), Rep. Paul Gosar (AZ), Rep. Mark Green (TN), Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA), Rep. Morgan Griffith (VA), Rep. Harriet Hageman (WY), Rep. Diana Harshbarger (TN), Rep. Clay Higgins (LA), Rep. Doug LaMalfa (CA), Rep. Debbie Lesko (AZ), Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (TX), Rep. Nancy Mace (SC), Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (NY), Rep. Tracey Mann (KS), Rep. Thomas Massie (KY), Rep. Rich McCormick (GA), Rep. Mary Miller (IL), Rep. Cory Mills (FL), Rep. Barry Moore (AL), Rep. Troy Nehls (TX), Rep. Ralph Norman (SC), Rep. Andy Ogles (TN), Rep. Scott Perry (PA), Rep. Bill Posey (FL), Rep. John Rose (TN), Rep. Matt Rosendale (MT), Rep. Chip Roy (TX), Rep. Keith Self (TX), Rep. Victoria Spartz (IN), Rep. Greg Steube (FL), Rep. Thomas Tiffany (WI), Rep. William Timmons (SC), Rep. Michael Waltz (FL), Rep. Daniel Webster (FL).
The Uniparty in the House has exposed itself to the American People.
151 R’s + 165 D’s just voted to advance @SpeakerJohnson’s $100b #AmericaLast foreign wars package with zero border security.
Everything after this rule vote is predetermined theater.
God bless the 55… pic.twitter.com/wZ97h87Ir6
— House Freedom Caucus (@freedomcaucus) April 19, 2024