Republicans petition to fire Johnson, who is blocking aid to Ukraine

23 February 05:55

A group of US lawmakers, Republicans for Ukraine, has launched a million-dollar advertising campaign calling on members of the US House of Representatives to support a petition to dismiss Speaker Mike Johnson in order to pass the military aid bill for Ukraine that was approved by the Senate, which Johnson refused to bring to a vote and announced a recess until 28 February. This was reported by with reference to Newsweek.

“For generations, the Republican Party has prided itself on standing up to dictators and leading the free world. Many Republicans, including those in Congress, still identify with this party and this role for America. The critical question in the world now is whether free countries will help defeat Putin in Ukraine. The Republicans have a chance to make history, but only if they get the vote. That’s why they should sign the discharge petition,”

– said Gunner Ramer, spokesman for the Republicans for Ukraine group.

According to him, they have targeted their advertising campaign at 10 representatives in the House who “have been leaders on Ukraine and American national security issues in the past”: Mike Gallagher, Ken Buck, Mike McCaul, Mike Rogers, Mike Turner, Don Bacon, Steve Womack, Jake Ellzey, Brian Fitzpatrick and Dan Crenshaw.

A discharge petition, which would require the support of 218 House members, including at least four Republicans, could allow the aid package to come to a vote without Johnson’s support. Ukraine’s supporters are confident that they have the necessary votes to pass the package in the House of Representatives if they manage to bring it to a vote.

The campaign features a one-minute advert in which “lifelong Republican voters” explain why they believe the House should give Ukraine additional support:

  • “If we don’t support Ukraine, I’m afraid that China could potentially take that as a signal that they think they can invade their neighbours.”
  • “If we show weakness in the face of aggression, it will send a clear signal to countries like China to invade Taiwan.”
  • “Everyone is worried that if we send more weapons, we will start World War III. I say the opposite: if we don’t send weapons and rein in Putin now, we will have World War III.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnWuhOwVNB8

On 13 February, the US Senate passed a bill unblocking aid to Ukraine . The document was supported by 70 senators out of 60 required.

The bill provides for assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan totalling $95.34 billion. $61 billion is earmarked for Ukraine, $14 billion for Israel, $4.83 billion for Taiwan and other US partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

The bill now needs to be supported by the US House of Representatives, where Republicans are also refusing to vote for aid to Ukraine.

Delay in funding assistance to Ukraine

Since autumn 2023, the US Congress has been unable to agree on a bill on military aid to Ukraine. President Joe Biden has proposed a national security bill worth more than $100 billion, including $61 billion to help Kyiv.

The document was not approved by Republicans, who want to include in the bill tighter border and migration measures on the US-Mexico border.

US President Joe Biden said he would not support the bill on aid to Israel initiated by Republicans in the House of Representatives without taking into account Ukraine’s needs.

Read also:

The US Senate unveiled a new draft law on aid to Ukraine

Дзвенислава Карплюк
Editor