'Rare!': Internet abuzz as Democrats help advance Republican Mike Johnson’s $95B foreign aid bill

WASHINGTON, DC: In an unusual move, the majority of Democrats backed Republican speaker Mike Johnson’s $95 billion foreign aid and weapons package, helping it overcome a procedural hurdle.

The full House voted on the debate rules late Friday, April 19, propelling it towards final passage on Saturday with wide bipartisan support.

The vote count was 316 to 94, with Democrats contributing more votes for the bill than Republicans — 165 in favor and 39 against, compared to 151 Republicans in favor and 55 against.

Mike Johnson’s $95B foreign aid bill: A breakdown of allocations

The total package, divided into four separate bills, would provide $26 billion to Israel, $60 billion to Ukraine, and $8 billion to the Indo-Pacific, combining military and humanitarian aid, according to Daily Mail.

The Israel security bill includes $4 billion for the replenishment of Israel’s Iron Dome Missile Defense system and additional billions for weapons systems, artillery, and munitions, as well as $24 billion for US operations in the region.

The bill also allocates $9 billion for humanitarian relief for Palestinians in Gaza.

The Ukraine bill includes $23 billion for replenishing US stockpiles used in the fight against Russia, $11 billion for US military operations in the region, and $14 billion for procuring advanced weapons systems.

It also provides $26 million for oversight and accountability of equipment given to Ukraine.

Two separate economic assistance funds worth $7.85 billion and $1.58 billion would also be offered to Ukraine under a loan structure, with the president having the authority to forgive half of it after November 15, 2024, and the other half after January 1, 2026.

How the foreign aid bill was saved and why Republicans opposed it?

Typically, such procedural votes are passed by the House majority alone. However, Democrats stepped in to push the legislation forward after collective opposition from Republican "hard-liners."

More Democrats voted to advance the bills than Republicans, thus saving the bill.

On the House floor, Democrats held back their votes until it was clear there was not enough Republican support for the measure to pass without their backing, and then their “yes” votes began pouring in.

Despite threats from two fellow Republicans to oust him if he advances a Ukraine funding proposal, House Speaker Mike Johnson proceeded with his plans to hold votes on the four separate foreign aid bills.

Republican Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie announced on Tuesday that he has co-sponsored Greene’s motion to vacate that she filed last month against Johnson.

"I just told Mike Johnson in conference that I'm co-sponsoring the Motion to Vacate that was introduced by @RepMTG," Massie said in his post. "He should pre-announce his resignation (as Boehner did), so we can pick a new Speaker without ever being without a GOP Speaker."

Republican Paul Gosar also joined the list on Friday soon after the bill was advanced with Massie and Taylor Greene welcoming him. Donald Trump earlier also slammed the foreign aid bill, stating it should be given as lone instead. 

"And now there are three. Thank you to @RepGosar for cosponsoring my motion to vacate Speaker Johnson!," Taylor Greene posted on X which was retweeted by Gosar. 

The Republicans are demanding that Congress pass a bill securing the southern border before considering the foreign aid package.

Johnson, however, remains unfazed by the threats, stating on Friday that he will do his job and let the chips fall where they may.

Internet reacts as GOP speaker Mike Johnson’s $95B bill advances

There were multiple reactions on the Internet talking over the role of GOP while some were critical of the foreign aid bill. 

"Wow! House members working together to get something done. How rare!" wrote one on X. "Marjorie Taylor Greene is going to have a bad day," wrote another. 

"Thank God. Finally aid for Ukraine is getting closer. Way overdue. But WHO are the 39 Dems that voted against?!" questioned another.

"This shows that the GOP has lost functional control of the house. Unprecedented for a rule to get that much support on the floor from the minority."

Some criticized the bill suggesting it would be devastation in the shape of wars. "Absurd," one wrote and another person tweeted, "Americans need to stop paying their income tax. Period."

"Your Congress just sent a message to your children that their country does not matter Only foreign countries matter And I don’t know how we survive that," added one more. 

"Who needs the Democrats when Republicans in Congress will do their jobs for them? When will Washington put America first?" wrote one more 

"This is just further proof that the GOP never actually won the House in the midterms," added another. 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.