2024-04-18 09:58:22
Voting scheduled for the 20th… Government requests Ukraine support for only 6 months
Biden urges the bill to be passed… Immediate signature policy upon passage
Republican hardliners “Bill for the Democratic Party”… Chairman’s dissatisfaction increases
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (Republican, Louisiana) announced a package bill for security support for Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific on the 17th (local time).
Six months after the Joe Biden administration requested support, the Republican House leadership began to process the bill. While President Biden immediately supported the bill, Republican hardliners are opposing it.
According to the Associated Press and The Hill, Chairman Johnson announced three bills on this day that combined military support for Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific and humanitarian support for the Gaza Strip.
Before unveiling the bills, Chairman Johnson told Republican lawmakers, “After feedback and discussion from important lawmakers, we plan to introduce three bills that will provide funding to America’s national security interests and our allies in Israel, the Indo-Pacific, and Ukraine.”
Chairman Johnson plans to hold a vote in the House of Representatives on the package bill on the 20th.
It has been six months since the Republican House leadership began to process the support package for Ukraine requested by the federal government.
At the end of October last year, the U.S. government handed over to Congress an emergency security assistance plan worth $105 billion (approximately 145 trillion won), including military aid to Ukraine and Israel. President Biden called for quick passage, but the Republican Party, which controls the House of Representatives, held out, saying strengthening border security was a priority. The bipartisan support plan prepared by the Senate last February was also postponed, but an alternative was presented this time.
The three bills contain similar content to the Senate bill that previously provided support of about $95 billion (approximately 131 trillion won) to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, and it is reported that $9 billion has also been earmarked for humanitarian aid.
When Chairman Johnson unveiled the support bill, President Joe Biden said, “I strongly support this package,” and said he would immediately sign the bill if it is processed.
President Biden said, “Israel is facing an unprecedented attack by Iran, and Ukraine is facing continued bombardment by Russia, which has dramatically intensified over the past month. “I won’t let you do it,” he said.
Chairman Johnson plans to vote on the fourth bill, which reflects public sentiment within the Republican Party and includes provisions related to allowing the seizure of Russian central bank assets, sanctions against Iran, Russia, and China, and a ban on TikTok.
However, hard-line lawmakers who have opposed aid to Ukraine are expressing their dissatisfaction.
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia), who has already submitted a motion to dismiss Chairman Johnson, said on social networking service . “Everyone is watching this,” he said.
The Freedom Caucus, a group of far-right lawmakers, also criticized X for “giving up the last opportunity to deal with the border crisis.”
Accordingly, there is a possibility that the voices of some lawmakers calling for Chairman Johnson to be replaced will gain strength. The AP reported that Rep. Thomas Massey (Republican, Kentucky) supported the argument for ouster the previous day, and other Republican lawmakers are also expressing dissatisfaction with Chairman Johnson’s leadership.
[워싱턴=뉴시스]
2024-04-18 09:58:22