In defiance of republican hardliners, US House speaker Mike Johnson advances a significant aid package for Ukraine and Israel, alongside a TikTok divestiture proposal

US House Speaker Mike Johnson is steadfastly pushing a $95 billion aid initiative for Ukraine and Israel, brushing aside potential threats from Republican hardliners who have hinted at ousting him. Amidst intense negotiations that extended late into Tuesday night, Johnson detailed his strategy, aiming for a vote come Saturday.

This bold move from Johnson comes as he looks to navigate through a blockade that has been in place for six months, primarily led by his party’s right wing, which has left Ukraine especially vulnerable to ongoing Russian military aggression. Additionally, the aid aims to respond swiftly to recent attacks by Iran on Israel.

President Joe Biden has strongly backed Johnson’s plan, urging Congress to act promptly. “I will sign this into law immediately to send a message to the world: We stand with our friends, and we won’t let Iran or Russia succeed,” Biden declared.

Johnson’s proposal cleverly separates foreign aid into different bills, allowing more targeted voting on aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. The package includes a variety of measures such as a requirement for economic aid to Ukraine to be repaid—a suggestion once voiced by former President Donald Trump—and a directive for ByteDance Ltd., the China-based owners of TikTok, to divest from the app if they wish to continue its operations in the U.S.

Moreover, a separate vote will address border security, a decision that has already drawn criticism from the House Freedom Caucus, highlighting internal party tensions.

As Johnson manoeuvres through these complex political dynamics, he faces a precarious position with increased risks to his leadership. Representative Thomas Massie and Marjorie Taylor Greene, both influential figures within the conservative faction, have expressed their discontent and are rallying support for his removal.

Despite these challenges, Johnson has found an unlikely ally in some House Democrats, who have expressed willingness to support him to ensure the aid packages pass, contingent on the funding levels matching those in the Senate’s proposal.

Johnson’s effort reflects a crucial attempt to align various interests within Congress to facilitate the aid package, which not only supports international allies but also addresses domestic political challenges, particularly within his own party.