As promised, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) rejected the $95 billion foreign aid package on Wednesday after the Senate passed it a day earlier.
The move did not come as a surprise since Johnson stated that he would reject the bill if it did not include border security funding. He expressed that he would not be “forced” into approving a bill that has no mention of the border.
“The Republican-led House will not be jammed or forced into passing a foreign aid bill that was opposed by most Republican senators and does nothing to secure our own border,” he said. “It’s time for Washington to start showing some love for Americans.”
“On Valentine’s Day, it’s a good day to point this out,” Johnson continued. “We need to listen to the American people and their needs and take action, and that’s why House leadership will continue to govern with Americans’ interests at heart.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson threw cold water on the Senate-passed foreign aid bill, signaling he will not bring it for a vote as it stands.
"The Republican-led House will not be jammed or forced into passing (the Senate's) foreign aid bill," he said. pic.twitter.com/9mG7N62fBA
— POLITICO (@politico) February 14, 2024
After Senate Republicans, including Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), fought to stop the bill’s passing in the early Tuesday morning hours, 22 of their colleagues sided with the Democrats.
With a vote of 70-29, the package included funding for Ukraine, Israel, Palestinian civilians, and Taiwan.
Johnson also said that he wanted to have a one-on-one meeting with President Joe Biden to discuss legislation to defend the border. He said on Wednesday that he has tried to meet with the president, but the meeting has yet to “be granted.”
He was also insistent that he would not pass any bill that was not geared toward the safety of America, saying that the Biden administration should create policies to put America first.
The Biden administration urged Johnson to pass the bill, noting “national security” being at stake, referring to Ukraine running out of supplies.
“This isn’t about politics, it’s literally about our national security,” said White House national security communications advisor John Kirby.
He stated that the bill affects Ukrainian soldiers in their fight against Russia and the Israeli military fighting off Hamas. Kirby suggested that this puts the U.S. at a disadvantage.
Johnson’s rejection of the bill comes as both chambers of Congress get ready for recess until Feb. 26.
