Rep. Mike Lawler, a moderate Republican from New York, is optimistic that a vote on funding for Ukraine’s war effort could take place on the House floor early next month. Despite divisions within the House GOP, Lawler and co-sponsors are working on a discharge petition to push for a vote on their bill that combines Ukraine and border security funding. Lawler emphasized the importance of supporting US allies and defending democracies globally, stating that the US cannot shirk its responsibilities in upholding and defending these values.
Lawler has had discussions with House Speaker Mike Johnson about the discharge petition effort and is confident that the bill will be brought to the floor for a vote. House Intelligence Committee Chair Mike Turner also indicated that passing supplemental aid to Ukraine will be a top priority when Congress returns, as the funding is crucial for Ukrainian morale and their ability to fight against Russian aggression. However, putting funding for Ukraine on the floor poses challenges for Johnson, as some far-right Republicans oppose providing aid to Ukraine and may seek to remove the speaker from his position.
The debate over combining foreign aid with border provisions has been a contentious issue, with House Republicans and former President Donald Trump opposing a major bipartisan deal that included restrictive border measures alongside aid to US allies. Following the failure of this deal in the Senate, a standalone foreign aid bill was passed last month, which included assistance for Ukraine and Israel. Johnson had initially stated that he would not bring this bill up for a vote, but there were discussions about crafting a package that could include foreign aid and border restrictions, which could be considered after a deal to fund the government was finalized and signed by President Joe Biden.
Lawler criticized GOP Rep. Marjory Taylor Greene’s efforts to remove Johnson from his position, calling it “idiotic” and stating that it undermines the House Republican majority. Democrats have indicated that they may be willing to support Johnson if he moves a Ukraine aid bill that they can agree on, although Lawler’s proposal for border restrictions may not align with their demands. The ongoing discussions and negotiations within the House highlight the complexities surrounding foreign aid and border security, as lawmakers work to find a solution that balances supporting US allies and addressing domestic concerns.
Despite the challenges and divisions within the House GOP, there is hope that a vote on funding for Ukraine’s war effort will take place when Congress returns from recess. Lawler and his co-sponsors are actively working to push for a vote on their bill, which combines Ukraine and border security funding. The issue of combining foreign aid with border provisions has been a point of contention, with various factions within the Republican Party having differing views on the matter. As lawmakers continue to negotiate and navigate these complexities, the fate of funding for Ukraine hangs in the balance, with the outcome likely to have significant implications for US foreign policy and international relations.
