US congressman Mike Johnson (R) is now facing massive criticism from his own party after he sponsored a $61 billion aid package for Ukraine on Saturday. The aid was later voted through by a vote of 310-112.
While the majority of Republican congressmen oppose the aid, Johnson’s decision is being called a “flip-flop” and a “betrayal” of the party’s core issues. The criticism has escalated to the point where some Republicans are calling for consequences and Johnson’s resignation.
In the wake of Saturday’s vote in Congress, speaker Mike Johnson appears to have created a deep rift within the Republican Party, with a majority of party members feeling betrayed by Johnson’s decision to support a $61 billion package for Ukraine.
According to the traditional Hastert rule that Johnson is now accused of breaking, a Republican Speaker should only support legislation that the majority of party members support.
Mike Johnson, according to critics, broke this rule by pushing through support with Democratic votes.
Republican lawmakers such as Byron Donald and Chip Roy have sharply criticized Johnson for violating established practices and policies, and for abandoning his own conference on such an important issue.
The Swamp is too drunk on power to realize that this scene has become the symbol of everything that’s wrong in DC.
They fund other countries, but don’t protect our border.
They wave foreign flags and wear them on their lapels, but don’t protect our border.
And some shroud… pic.twitter.com/9twwhVAEfD
— Kevin Roberts (@KevinRobertsTX) April 21, 2024
A party in crisis?
Congressman Jim Banks expressed his disappointment in strong terms: “I’ve never seen a bigger flip-flop in politics than what Mike Johnson has done”.
The criticism reflects a broader sense of anger and frustration within the party, with several members feeling that Johnson’s actions have undermined the party’s values and principles.
While Johnson has tried to defend his decision, citing pressure from the White House and the intelligence community, this has not mitigated the internal criticism. Many Republicans see Johnson’s actions as a loss of party independence and a sign of weak leadership.
Especially in light of Johnson’s repeated promises not to raise the issue of possible aid to Ukraine unless the Biden administration first provides concrete guarantees to secure the US southern border. That border has been under tremendous pressure from illegal immigrants since Joe Biden took office.
This remarkable document is being circulated by Republican House members.
It shows that Mike Johnson was crystal clear for months: no Ukraine bill without a bill securing our southern border.
After a Feb. 28 White House meeting, something changed.
What happened?! pic.twitter.com/nHOOYIKfu3
— Bradley Jaye (@bradleyajaye) April 18, 2024
“Big disappointment”
For now, however, it is unclear how the internal conflict within the Republican Party will affect its future and its chances in the upcoming elections this fall.
But the divisions within the party have become clearer and more open than ever before.
– I’m disappointed about it. I don’t have a good explanation. I don’t know why he’s doing this, but … it’s a big flip flop and a big disappointment for Republicans, congressman Jim Banks summed up the situation.
