Facing GOP revolt, Johnson’s plan for US aid to Ukraine and allies uncertain
WASHINGTON, April 17, (AP): Defiant and determined, House Speaker Mike Johnson pushed back Tuesday against mounting Republican anger over his proposed US aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other allies, and rejected a call to step aside or risk a vote to oust him from office.
“I am not resigning,” Johnson said after a testy morning meeting of fellow House Republicans at the Capitol.
Johnson referred to himself as a “wartime speaker” of the House and indicated in his strongest selfdefense yet he would press forward with a US national security aid package, a situation that would force him to rely on Democrats to help pass it, over objections from his weakened majority.
“We are simply here trying to do our jobs,” Johnson said, calling the motion to oust him “absurd ... not helpful.”
But as night fell, the speaker’s resolve collided with Republican opposition to his plan.
For hours, Johnson holed up at the Capitol with lawmakers sorting through their alternative strategies, particularly ways to attach US-Mexico border security measures to the package. No bill text was released, putting passage of any aid this week in serious doubt.
“We’ll see,” Johnson said about the legislation, ducking into a meeting that dragged toward midnight.
Tuesday had initially brought a definitive shift in tone from both the House Republicans and the speaker himself at a pivotal moment as the embattled leader tries, against the wishes of his majority, to marshal the votes needed to send the stalled national security aid for Israel, Ukraine and other overseas allies to passage.