House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) unveiled a four-pronged plan on April 15 to provide financial aid to Israel and Ukraine, along with addressing other geopolitical issues. The plan includes three separate financial assistance packages: one for Ukraine, one for Israel, and one for Taiwan. Additionally, there is a proposed TikTok ban and the REPO (Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity) for Ukrainians Act, aimed at seizing assets of Russian oligarchs to support the costs of the conflict in Ukraine.
During a closed-door Republican conference meeting where the plan was presented, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) expressed opposition to additional funding for Ukraine, calling it a scam. She did not confirm whether she would activate her motion to vacate against Mr. Johnson in response.
On the other hand, Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.) expressed full support for the plan, emphasizing its importance in addressing issues in the Indo-Pacific region, including Taiwan, Ukraine, and Israel. However, he noted that he would wait to see the text of the proposals before committing his support.
Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), another opponent of funding for Ukraine, commended Mr. Johnson for presenting separate bills rather than combining them into a single package. He also mentioned that he does not anticipate border security being attached to the funding packages.
The proposal follows a direct attack on Israel by Iran, prompting renewed urgency among lawmakers to pursue foreign aid, especially for Israel. Despite previous struggles in Congress to advance foreign aid packages, President Joe Biden has indicated a preference for a comprehensive foreign aid and national security package over standalone bills.
Details regarding the TikTok aspect of the plan are limited, with an earlier bill targeting ByteDance, the owner of TikTok, for divestment or potential ban in the U.S. Mr. Johnson’s inclusion of the REPO Act, allowing for the seizure of Russian oligarchs’ property, is seen as a tactic to garner Senate support for a TikTok ban.
The reaction of Senate Democrats and President Biden to Mr. Johnson’s plan remains uncertain, as efforts to find a path forward on foreign aid continue amidst partisan disagreements. Can you rephrase that?
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