Internal Republican disputes simmered under Saturday’s crucial vote.
The differences between the main American parties have been completely inflamed since the congressional elections held two years ago. Worsened crises abroad now seem to make the parties cooperate. However, it exacerbates the internal bickering within the Republican Party.
In recent weeks, Russia has gotten more and more over the top in its war against Ukraine. That’s largely because U.S. support for Ukraine’s military has ended as funding has run out.
The Senate of the US Congress, with its Democratic majority, has approved the aid to Ukraine. However, in the House of Representatives, which is narrowly controlled by Republicans, the aid package is stuck in the opposition of extremist Republicans. Support to Israel and Taiwan and humanitarian aid to Gaza are also connected to the same $95 billion package.
Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson is key.
Johnson has not wanted to bring the Ukraine aid package to the vote because it is opposed by the extreme wing of the Republicans. Opponents think the money should be used for the US’s own needs, and not for distant wars.
The pressure on Johnson, who is considered an extremist, has been extremely hard. Ukraine’s defense is collapsing due to lack of weapons.
Now Johnson has decided that the package will be brought to the House of Representatives for a vote on Saturday.
Parties to cooperation
A democrat president Joe Biden has already announced that he supports Johnson’s proposal and wants to sign the Ukraine aid package as soon as possible.
In the Senate, more than 70 percent of the representatives supported the package. Also in the House of Representatives, the majority of Democrats agree with the Republican speaker’s proposal.
The support packages for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan are not the only ones where the parties have found each other. Iran’s missile attack on Israel has made the parties united to find ways to support Israel and condemn Iran.
Republicans in open conflict
The criticism directed at Johnson is personified by the Georgian to Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has threatened to start the process of impeaching Johnson if he brings the bill to a vote. Greene has received support for his intention to resign, at least from a Kentuckian From Thomas Massey. There are possibly more supporters of Greene.
The uncompromising line of extremist Republicans has made the work of the House of Representatives difficult, as Johnson has listened to them with a close ear. This has led to frustration among moderate Republicans.
Already two Republican representatives, Ken Buck and Mike Gallagher, have resigned from the House of Representatives. The differences have shrunk the Republican majority to an extremely small one.
Greene has been found echoing Russia’s wishes and disinformation even to the extent that Buck gave Greene a nickname Marjorie of Moscow.
Now Johnson’s office has started collecting statements that support his goal, which is to approve the package in Saturday’s vote.
– Too much is too much, said Johnson’s party colleague, the Georgian governor Brian Kemp in social media.
– Instead of picking on each other, Republicans in the House of Representatives should do their job and vote on issues important to the nation, he continued.
Close to the Republicans Fox News news channel also expresses harsh criticism of Greene. Its assistant is prominently displayed on the channel’s news site By Liz Peek an article in which Peek calls Greene an “idiot” as he is breaking up the Republican Party with his actions.
In Areena, you can watch a documentary that examines the ammunition situation in Ukraine.
Sources: Reuters, AP