House Approves Aid Packages For Ukraine, Israel And Taiwan

By -

The House of Representatives approved foreign aid packages for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan on Saturday, following heavy resistance from Republicans that included criticism of House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who faced calls for his ouster after championing the legislation.

The House voted 311-112-1 to approve $61 billion in aid for Ukraine, 366-58 for $26 billion in aid for Israel and 385-34 to approve $8 billion in aid for the U.S.’s Indo-Pacific partners, including Taiwan and “other key allies.”

Of these votes, the Ukrainian aid package was the most contentious: Democrats unanimously approved the bill while less than half of Republicans (101) joined in support and one voted present.

Only 21 Republicans voted against the Israel aid package, joining 37 Democrats.

The aid was approved as part of a legislative package that also included a national security bill containing a potential TikTok ban—requiring Chinese parent company ByteDance to divest within nine months—in addition to new sanctions on Russia, China and Iran.

The national security bill also provides $10 billion in aid for Ukraine rebuilding efforts (separate from the $61 billion for military assistance) in the form of loans, a provision suggested by former President Donald Trump, and includes a bill that would transfer frozen Russian assets to help fund Ukraine’s war effort.

President Joe Biden said he would sign the legislative package into law if it passes the Senate, which could vote as early as next week.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and Tom Massie, R-Ky., have issued threats to call a motion to oust Johnson over the foreign aid package. Rep. Mike McCaul, R-Texas, said Saturday while it was a “monumental achievement” for the foreign aid package to reach a vote, a motion to vacate Johnson is “foreseeable.” Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., endorsed the effort this week, while some Democrats have signaled they would vote to save Johnson. Greene introduced a measure last month aimed at potentially ousting Johnson, but she didn’t do so as a “privileged” resolution, meaning there is no time frame for voting on the motion.

KEY BACKGROUND
The House voted Friday to clear a procedural hurdle in passing the foreign aid package, as more Democrats than Republicans voted in favor of rules governing debate. Friday’s vote followed rare approval in the GOP-led House Rules Committee on Thursday, when the committee’s four Democrats voted alongside five Republicans. The legislative package mirrors a similar foreign aid package passed by the Senate in February, though that legislation faced opposition from Trump and other Republicans. After Iran attacked Israel earlier this month, Johnson faced increased pressure to unveil a foreign aid package amid resistance from far-right lawmakers.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Characters In BBC’s Documentary On TB Joshua Unknown To Us – Synagogue Church

By -
Image
  The Synagogue Church of all Nations (SCOAN) has countered the BBC documentary on the late Temitope Babatunde Joshua, known as TB Joshua, founder of SCOAN. SCOAN described the documentary against TB Joshua as unfounded, and that the characters interviewed in the report were unknown to the church. The church, in a statement signed by its Public Affairs Director, Mr Dare Adejumo, said the statement was aimed at disabusing public minds from the report. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the BBC released a highly controversial and damning documentary on the late TB Joshua on Monday, accusing him of various crimes, including rape, against some members. SCOAN said, “BBC World Services investigative unit, code-named Africa Eye, came out this week with weird and strange episodes of atrocities against the late founder of SCOAN.” It said that to investigate and publish or broadcast reports was a central kernel of journalism, but to do so outside the ethics and fundamental principles
Read more

NBA Suspends Canada’s Joshua Primo For 4 Games For Exposing Himself To Women

By -
Image
  The NBA has suspended former San Antonio Spurs guard  Joshua Primo   for four games   ... after it says it found he exposed his private parts to multiple women. The league announced the ban on Friday morning ... saying an investigation into the free agent revealed he had "engaged in inappropriate and offensive behavior." NBA officials called his actions "conduct detrimental to the league." They did, however, note that they "did not find evidence that he engaged in any sexual or other misconduct apart from these brief exposures." "Primo maintains that his conduct was not intentional," the league said. Dr. Hillary Cauthen , Primo's former therapist, was the first to  bring the allegations  against Primo to light after she claimed last fall that he exposed himself to her on nine separate occasions. Dr. Cauthen's attorney,  Tony Buzbee , alleged the Spurs were aware of Primo's actions, but didn't take action. Cauthen went on to file
Read more

Sky Sports' On-Air Mix-Up: Chelsea Players Mistakenly Introduced as Axel Disasi Instead of Noni Madueke in Carabao Cup Semifinal

By -
Image
 Sky Sports were left red-faced after an on-screen graphic mistakenly introduced Chelsea defender Axel Disasi as Noni Madueke on Tuesday night. The pair were both the scoresheet as the Blues thrashed Middlesbrough 6-1 at Stamford Bridge in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final to boo their place at Wembley. But when Disasi spoke to Sky Sports after the game, an on-screen graphic introduced him as Madueke instead. Madueke is four years younger than his Chelsea teammate, plays in a different role and is English, while Disasi is French. Viewers immediately spotted the mistake and took to social media to flag up the glaring error.  Sky Sports with a huge mistake as that is Axel Disasi, not Noni Madueke,' another added, while a third described the gaffe as a 'howler'. A fourth commented: 'Sky sports calling Disasi Madueke. They’ve done it again.' Disasi scored Chelsea's third goal in the 6-1 rout, converting Raheem Sterling's cross at the far post after th
Read more