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☆ Senate passes reauthorization of a key U.S. surveillance program after midnight deadline
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

After its midnight deadline, the Senate voted early Saturday to reauthorize a key U.S. surveillance law after divisions over whether the FBI should be restricted from using the program to search for Americans' data nearly forced the statute to lapse. The legislation approved 60-34 with bipartisan support would extend for two years the program known as Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. "If you miss a key piece of intelligence, you may miss some event overseas or put troops in harm's way," Sen. Marco Rubio, the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said. One of the major changes detractors had proposed centered around restricting the FBI's access to information about Americans through the program. "I think that is a risk that we cannot afford to take with the vast array of challenges our nation faces around the world," Democratic Sen. Mark Warner, chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said Friday.

Persons: Chuck Schumer, Alejandro Mayorkas, Joe Biden's, Jake Sullivan, Biden, Ayman al, Sen, Marco Rubio, shouldn't, General Merrick Garland, Garland, Schumer, Dick Durbin, Durbin, Democratic Sen, Mark Warner Organizations: Homeland, U.S, Capitol, Foreign Intelligence, White House, FISA, Republican, Senate Intelligence, Justice Department, United, Justice, Biden, U.S . Capitol, Democratic Locations: Washington , U.S, U.S, harm's, United States

☆ What to know about the TikTok ban bill the House passed
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —House lawmakers have once again passed legislation that could lead to a nationwide TikTok ban, renewing a massive threat to the company’s US operations. In March, House lawmakers approved a bill that would give TikTok roughly six months to sell. Another factor that’s shaking things up is how House Republicans inserted the TikTok bill into a much larger foreign aid package. Biden endorsed the prior version of the TikTok bill, which suggests he may quickly sign any foreign aid package that includes similar language targeting TikTok. In addition to complying with the legislation, TikTok could challenge it in court and has made no secret that it might do so.

Persons: TikTok, Joe Biden, there’s, who’ve, Washington Democratic Sen, Maria Cantwell, Paul Gallant, Cowen, Gallant, Joe Biden’s, Biden, —, Shou Chew, ”, Nadine Farid Johnson, ByteDance Organizations: CNN —, White, Washington Democratic, Republicans, House, Senate, Inc, Columbia University, “, TikTok Locations: United States, Ukraine, Israel, China

☆ These 112 House Republicans voted against Ukraine aid
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The House passed a more than $60 billion bill that provides more military aid to Ukraine. 112 Republicans voted it against — the most ever, and a majority of the GOP conference. AdvertisementThe House of Representatives on Saturday passed a more than $60 billion bill to provide military and economic aid to Ukraine. A solid majority of Republicans voted against the bill, which passed by a 311-112 margin. 101 Republicans voted for it, and one Republican, Rep. Dan Meuser of Pennsylvania, voted "present."

Persons: —, Dan Meuser, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Mike Johnson Organizations: Senate, GOP, Service, Republican, Business Locations: Ukraine, Pennsylvania

☆ Trump Media CEO says he’ll do ‘whatever it takes’ to defend DJT investors from short sellers
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Trump Media CEO Devin Nunes on Friday said he would "do whatever it takes" to defend the company's retail investors from possible illegal short selling of its shares. Delivering remarks in Scranton, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday, Biden took a dig at Donald Trump, his November Republican election opponent, as shares of Trump Media tanked from its more than $70 debut price. Trump Media's stock, trading under the ticker DJT , rallied toward the end of this week, but has plummeted starkly from its peak. It involves a trader selling shares that have not been borrowed or arranged to be borrowed. Nunes said that Trump Media has appeared on the Nasdaq's "Reg SHO threshold list," which could indicate illegal trading behavior.

Persons: Devin Nunes, Nunes, Joe Biden, Biden, Donald Trump, Trump, DJT, SHO, Ken Griffin Organizations: Truth, Conservative Political, Trump Media, Trump, Republican, Trump Media tanked, Nasdaq, Securities and Exchange, CNBC, SEC, Citadel Securities, GOP Locations: National Harbor , Maryland, Scranton , Pennsylvania, California

☆ Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene blasts Speaker Mike Johnson, says will wait on potential move to vacate
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Jake Piazza | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., leaves the U.S. Capitol after filing a motion to vacate Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., from his post on Friday, March 22, 2024. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene says she will let her fellow House Republicans hear from their constituents before deciding whether to move forward with a vote to remove Speaker Mike Johnson. "I do not support Mike Johnson, he's already a lame duck," Greene told reporters. Greene filed a motion for a vote to force Johnson to vacate the Speaker position in March, but no further action has been taken since then. Speaker Johnson, who spoke to reporters after the votes as well, voiced a similar sentiment.

Persons: Marjorie Taylor Greene, Mike Johnson, Greene, China's ByteDance, Johnson, he's, Chuck Schumer, Joe Biden, — CNBC's Rebecca Picciotto Organizations: U.S, Capitol, CNN, Senate Locations: Taiwan, Ukraine, Israel

☆ House passes legislation that could ban TikTok in the US amid high-stakes vote on foreign aid
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

By attaching the TikTok bill to funding for Ukrainian military equipment and Israeli missile defense, House Republicans put the pressure on Senate lawmakers to consider the whole package in a single up-or-down vote. Policy analysts expect the Senate to take up the aid package quickly, giving it high odds of passage. And President Joe Biden has previously said he would sign the TikTok legislation if it reaches his desk. And in the days leading up to the House vote on Saturday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer emphasized the urgency of approving the foreign aid. On Saturday, Schumer said in remarks on the Senate floor that there is a tentative agreement for the chamber to take up the foreign aid package on Tuesday.

Persons: TikTok, Joe Biden, ” TikTok, ”, Chuck Schumer, Schumer, Paul Gallant, Cowen, Gallant, ” Gallant Organizations: Washington CNN, ByteDance, House Republicans, Cowen Inc Locations: Israel, Ukraine, Washington, U.S

☆ House passes Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan aid, potential TikTok ban
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., conducts a news conference in the U.S. Capitol after the House passed the foreign aid package rule on Friday, April 19, 2024. The bills earmark over $60 billion for Ukraine aid, more than $26 billion for Israel and over $8 billion for Taiwan and Indo-Pacific security. The House's approval is a critical next step for foreign aid, which has been in limbo since President Biden first proposed it in October. Despite that looming political backlash, Speaker Johnson was persuaded to revisit the foreign aid package after Iran's attempted strike on Israel last weekend. In response, Johnson put the foreign aid package at the top of the House's agenda.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Joe Biden, Johnson, Leader Jeffries, Biden, Chuck Schumer, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, China's, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Greene, Iran's, Johnson's, Steve Scalise Organizations: U.S, Capitol, United States House, Representatives, Democrats, Republicans, Rep, NBC News Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan

US House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) speaks during a news conference following the House Republican caucus meeting at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on November 29, 2023. Speaker Mike Johnson, facing intense opposition from right-wing members, received crucial help from Democrats to move forward with the votes. Passing this legislation would send a powerful message about the strength of American leadership at a pivotal moment," the White House budget office said in a statement Friday endorsing the House package. But Johnson, who opposed Ukraine aid last year before he became speaker, now says he believes it is "critically important," based on the intelligence and briefings he has since gotten. Democrats praised the move to proceed to House votes, highlighting their party's key role.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Joe Biden, Thomas Massie, Chip Roy, Ralph Norman, Johnson, — Massie, Marjorie Taylor Greene, I'm, Vladimir Putin, Don Beyer, Grace Meng Organizations: Republican, The, Democratic, White House, Administration, Naval Academy, U.S, Democrats, couldn't Locations: Washington ,, Ukraine, Israel, U.S, China, Ky, Texas, Europe, American

☆ Democrats build financial edge in battle for the House
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( David Wright | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Meanwhile, a pair of super PACs aligned with the House leadership of both parties also announced their most recent quarterly fundraising totals this week, showing Democrats with another advantage. House Majority PAC, the Democratic super PAC, said that, along with its affiliated organization, House Majority Forward, it had raised $37 million in the quarter for Democrats’ House effort. Adding to the pressure, House Republicans are still dealing with the fallout from leadership fights as they seek to defend their razor-thin majority. Meanwhile, a conservative dark money group, American Prosperity Alliance, launched new ads this week targeting three House Republicans who had voted to oust McCarthy, slamming their voting records. House Majority PAC, the lead Democratic super PAC, announced earlier this month plans to spend $186 million on advertising campaigns targeting a series of key battleground races.

Persons: outraising, outraised, Mike Johnson, Kevin McCarthy, Johnson, McCarthy, – Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Greene Organizations: CNN, US, Representatives, GOP, Democrats ’, Democratic Congressional, Committee, Republican, National Republican Congressional Committee, PAC, Democratic, Congressional, Fund, American Action Network, Republicans, House Republicans, Capitol, Capitol Hill . Rep, Marjorie Taylor Greene of, American Prosperity Alliance Locations: California, New York, Capitol Hill, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Ukraine, Israel

☆ These House Republicans want to boot Mike Johnson from the speakership
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene filed a "motion to vacate" against Speaker Mike Johnson in March. She argues that Johnson has betrayed the GOP, in part by allowing more Ukraine aid to pass. Since then, more Republicans have signed onto her effort, but Democrats could protect Johnson. AdvertisementRep. Marjorie Taylor Greene doesn't think Mike Johnson deserves his job anymore. The Georgia congresswoman is getting back-up on the so-called "motion to vacate" she filed against the GOP speaker of the House in March: two more Republicans signed on this week.

Persons: Marjorie Taylor Greene, Mike Johnson, Johnson, —, Marjorie Taylor Greene doesn't, Kevin McCarthy, Matt Gaetz, McCarthy, Greene, Bill Clark, Johnson Marjorie Taylor Greene, Thomas Massie, Massie, Paul Gosar Organizations: GOP, Service, Rep, Louisiana Republican, Inc, Getty, Republicans, Kentucky, Arizona, America Locations: Ukraine, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana

☆ Opinion: Mike Johnson is testing to see if the MAGA Republican fever can be broken
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Julian Zelizer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —House Speaker Mike Johnson is moving forward with a legislative package to provide aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has been beating the drums to vote Johnson, who is himself also an extreme right-wing Republican, out of office. When GOP House members adopted this lower threshold in exchange for accepting McCarthy, experts understood that the rule would create extreme instability within the Republican caucus. On July 28, 2015, Tea Party Republican Rep. Mark Meadows from North Carolina filed a motion to vacate but the House never voted on the resolution. The time of Republican speakership keeps shrinking as right-wing ousters have become increasingly common.

Persons: Julian Zelizer, Mike Johnson, MAGA, Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Kevin McCarthy of, “, McCarthy, can’t, Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, Donald Trump, Newt Gingrich, Jim Wright, Wright, Gingrich, Bill Clinton, Gingrich’s, Robert Livingston, Dennis Hastert, John Boehner of Ohio, Jim Jordan, Mark, Boehner, ”, Paul Ryan, Ryan, Michael Kerr, Theodore Pomeroy, Republican speakership Organizations: CNN, Princeton University, New York Times, America, Twitter, CNN —, MAGA Republicans, Congress, Georgia Republican, Republican, House Republicans, Rep, GOP House, Republicans, Republican Party, GOP, Democrats, Democratic, Louisiana’s, Tea Party Republicans, Tea Party Republican Rep, Wisconsin Rep Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, Russia, Iran, China, Kevin McCarthy of California, New, Illinois, Ohio, Mark Meadows, North Carolina

☆ House conservatives have a special group dedicated to preserving their power. Of course, it's called the FART team.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

House conservatives have organized a crack team to monitor to potential ways to undermine their power. The House Freedom Caucus has formed a Floor Action Response Team. AdvertisementThe far-right House Freedom Caucus has formed a crack team of conservative lawmakers to monitor the House floor lest Speaker Mike Johnson or other Republicans try to limit their power. Massie is also not a member of the Freedom Caucus, whose membership is technically secret, but he does support many of the caucus' broader aims. Gaetz teamed up with seven other House Republicans and House Democrats to boot McCarthy from power.

Persons: —, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Greene, Thomas Massie, Massie, Lauren Boebert, Boebert, I'm, Kevin McCarthy, Matt Gaetz, McCarthy's, Gaetz, McCarthy, Chip Roy, Ralph Norman, Mike Lawler, Lawler Organizations: Service, Politico, Caucus, Freedom Caucus, Georgia Republican, Kentucky Republican, Republican, Colorado Republican, Blaze Media, Republicans, House Democrats, GOP, New York Republican Locations: Georgia, Ukraine, Kentucky, Colorado, Florida

☆ In Unusual Vote, Democrats Rescue Measure to Allow Vote on Ukraine Bill
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Catie Edmondson | More About Catie Edmondson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

House Republicans took a critical step late Thursday night toward bringing up the long-stalled foreign aid bill for Ukraine and Israel, after being forced to rely on Democratic votes to move a plan to consider it out of a key committee and onto the floor. The 9-to-3 vote in the critical Rules Committee was an early step in the convoluted process the House is expected to go through over the next couple of days to approve the $95 billion aid package. But Democrats on the panel stepped in to save it in an extraordinary breach of custom. All Democrats voted to advance the plan out of committee. The Rules Committee has traditionally been an organ of the speaker, and legislation is typically advanced to the floor in a straight party-line vote.

Persons: Mike Johnson’s Organizations: Republicans, Democratic Locations: Ukraine, Israel

☆ Mike Johnson and progressives are strange bedfellows on Israel and Ukraine aid
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

House Speaker Mike Johnson is splitting Ukraine and Israel aid into separate votes. AdvertisementHouse Speaker Mike Johnson's unconventional plan to hold separate votes on Israel and Ukraine aid is designed primarily to appease House Republicans who don't want to vote for more aid to Ukraine. But it's also garnering applause from an unusual place: progressive Democrats who don't want to vote for more Israel aid. "I think it is a great plan," said Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, who supports Ukraine aid but won't vote for unconditional Israel aid. Related storiesThat's led some progressives to refuse to get on board with the Senate-passed bill, even if they support Ukraine aid.

Persons: Mike Johnson, —, Mike Johnson's, it's, Ilhan Omar, Minnesota, Omar, Biden, Israel, Alexandria Ocasio, Cortez, Ro Khanna, Johnson, Khanna, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Abigail Spanberger Organizations: Service, Israel, GOP, Democratic Senate, Democrats, Republicans, Democratic, Senate, Republican, California, House Republicans Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, Alexandria, Taiwan, Virginia

☆ TikTok is in the hot seat once again in Washington
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

An earlier version of the TikTok bill sailed through the House in March, but it has become bogged down in the Senate. Opponents, including TikTok and a range of civil society groups, have argued the bill risks violating TikTok users’ First Amendment rights. President Joe Biden has said he would sign the House TikTok bill if it reaches his desk. The latest version of the TikTok bill contains some updates. One key senator who was doubtful of the initial House TikTok bill appeared satisfied.

Persons: TikTok, Mike Johnson, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, there’s, “, Johnson, ”, Washington Democratic Sen, Maria Cantwell, I’ve, Cantwell, Cathy McMorris Rodgers Organizations: CNN, Republicans, Senate, House Republicans, Washington Democratic, Oracle, Republican, Washington Rep Locations: Israel, Ukraine, China, India, Texas

☆ These 13 House Democrats voted against a resolution to condemn Iran's attack on Israel
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The House voted on Thursday to condemn Iran's recent missile and drone attack on Israel. 13 progressive House Democrats — and one Republican — voted against it. AdvertisementThe House of Representatives on Thursday voted to condemn Iran's recent missile and drone attack on Israel. 13 progressive House Democrats voted against the resolution along with Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, a non-interventionist libertarian who often opposes these types of resolutions. Here are the 13 House Democrats who voted against the resolution:

Persons: Democrats —, Republican —, —, Thomas Massie, Republicans teed, Alexandria Ocasio, Cortez Organizations: Democrats, Republican, Service, Republican Rep, Republicans, Israel, Democratic Rep Locations: Israel, Iran, Iranian, Syria, Alexandria, Cortez of New York, Gaza

Right-wing lawmakers are ramping up their threats to remove Speaker Mike Johnson from his role after Johnson’s supporters pushed him to make it harder to oust him from the speakership. The House is finished with floor action for the day, which means that the earliest that Greene could make a motion to oust Johnson would be on Friday. At one point, Johnson was surrounded on the House floor by a number of far-right lawmakers in a heated discussion. Democrats weigh how to proceedThe House Rules Committee is meeting Thursday morning to begin considering the foreign aid bills. One thing that is hanging over discussions is that many Democrats view Johnson as a more honest broker than McCarthy.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson’s, Johnson, Kevin McCarthy, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Greene, “, Matt Gaetz, Derrick Van Orden, Gaetz “ tubby, ”, Van Orden, ” Greene, “ Mike Johnson, CNN’s Manu Raju, “, it’s, Anna Paulina Luna, ’, Luna, Dan Kildee, Pramila, ” Jayapal, Mike Quigley, ” Quigley, Jared Moskowitz, McCarthy, he’s, CNN’s Haley Talbot Organizations: CNN, Louisiana Republican, Georgia Rep, Republicans, Punchbowl News, GOP, Republican, Conservative, House Democratic Caucus, ” Democratic, Democrat, Democratic Locations: Louisiana, Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, Washington, “

☆ House passes key procedural vote on foreign aid bills, setting up final vote Saturday
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The House voted Friday in a bipartisan manner to advance a key foreign aid package, a significant step in sending aid to Ukraine and Israel and setting up a final vote as soon as Saturday. The move is likely to further inflame conservatives who are against additional aid to Ukraine and have threatened Johnson’s job over the issue. The committee activity capped off another contentious day on Capitol Hill as the renewed push to send foreign aid to Ukraine has divided House Republicans. Three bills in the foreign aid package would provide aid for Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific region, with the latter intended to help deter Chinese aggression in the area. The three assistance bills are similar to the foreign aid legislation that passed the Senate in February.

Persons: Mike Johnson’s, Johnson, Thomas Massie, Marjorie Taylor, Greene, Republicans – Massie, Ralph Norman of, Chip Roy, Texas –, ”, “, CNN’s Haley Talbot, Katie Lobosco, Tami Luhby, Brian Fung Organizations: Democratic, GOP, Republicans, CNN, Caucus Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Ralph Norman of South Carolina, Texas, Iran

☆ Senate dismisses two articles of impeachment against Homeland Security secretary, ends trial
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas testifies before the House Homeland Security Committee about the Biden Administration's FY2025 budget request in the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill on April 16, 2024 in Washington, DC. Senators voted to dismiss both articles of impeachment and end the trial, with Democrats arguing that the articles were unconstitutional. Still, Republicans similarly moved to dismiss former President Donald Trump's second impeachment trial in 2021, weeks after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. Johnson had said he would send them to the Senate last week, but he punted again after Senate Republicans said they wanted more time to prepare. The impeachment trial is the third in five years.

Persons: Alejandro Mayorkas, Joe Biden, impeaching Mayorkas, Mike Johnson, Mayorkas, Schumer, Chuck Schumer, William McFarland, Kevin F, Mark Green, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Michael McCaul, Clay Higgins, Ben Cline, Andy Biggs, Michael Guest, Laurel Lee, Harriet Hageman, Andrew Garbarino, Pfluger, Democratic Sen, Patty Murray, Murray, Missouri Sen, Eric Schmitt, Mitch McConnell, McConnell, Donald Trump's, McConnell —, Trump, Johnson, he's, I'm, Joe Biden's, Donald Trump Organizations: Homeland, House Homeland Security, Biden, Cannon, Republicans, House Republicans, Democrats, —, Republican, of Homeland, Democratic, National Archives, Capitol, Senate, Democrat, Tennessee Rep, Congress Locations: Washington , DC, Mexico, U.S, WASHINGTON, Texas, Washington, Missouri, Ky, New York, New York City, Ukraine, Mayorkas

☆ Lawmakers vote against hearing Arizona bill repealing abortion ban on House floor
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Arit John | Cheri Mossburg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The Republican-controlled Arizona House of Representatives once again failed to advance a repeal of the state’s 160-year-old abortion ban Wednesday, days after the state Supreme Court roiled state politics by reviving the law. On Wednesday, following two attempts to discuss a bill that would repeal Arizona’s 1864 ban on abortions, lawmakers voted not to discuss the measure on the House floor. State lawmakers last week ended a House session early to block an effort to repeal the abortion ban. And on Monday, House Republicans’ general counsel laid out a strategy to defeat or dilute the impact of a potential abortion rights ballot initiative in a leaked memo. Abortion rights supporters and opponents gathered outside the statehouse Wednesday morning.

Persons: Donald Trump, Kari Lake, Katie Hobbs, “, Ben Toma, Doug Ducey, Republicans ’, Sen, Priya Sundareshan, ”, “ It’s, Jill Norgaard Organizations: CNN, Republican, Representatives, GOP, Democratic Gov, ”, Republicans, Arizona Democrats, Senate, Arizona Democratic Legislative, Committee, Abortion, statehouse, Wednesday Locations: Arizona,

☆ Johnson Pushes Ahead on Foreign Aid Bill, Teeing Up a Weekend Vote
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Catie Edmondson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday told Republicans that the House would vote Saturday evening on his foreign aid package for Israel and Ukraine, pushing through resistance in his own party to advance a long-stalled national security spending package for U.S. allies. His announcement came amid a crush of opposition from Republicans who are vehemently against sending more aid to Ukraine, and have vented for days as congressional aides race to write the legislation Mr. Johnson proposed on Monday. The move was a nod to ultraconservatives who have demanded that the speaker not advance aid to Ukraine without securing sweeping concessions from Democrats on immigration policy. The legislative package Mr. Johnson is trying to advance roughly mirrors the $95 billion aid bill the Senate passed two months ago with aid to Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and other American allies, but he has proposed breaking that package into three pieces that would be voted on individually. There would be a fourth vote on a separate measure containing other policies popular among Republicans, including conditioning Ukraine aid as a loan and a measure that could lead to a nationwide TikTok ban.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson, ultraconservatives Organizations: Wednesday, Republicans, House Republicans Locations: Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan

☆ Here’s what aid the House would provide Israel, Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Katie Lobosco | Tami Luhby | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —House Republicans released the text of three bills Wednesday that would provide aid for Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific region, with the latter intended to help deter Chinese aggression in the area. Taken together, the House bills add up to about $95 billion in aid – the same amount the Senate bill included – with an adjustment that $10 billion in Ukraine economic assistance is in the form of a repayable loan, CNN has reported. Nearly $14 billion included in the bill would help Ukraine buy advanced weapons systems and other defense equipment. The Senate bill, by comparison, would provide $14.1 billion in assistance to Israel, including funds for missile defense systems and foreign military financing to help Israel reestablish territorial security and deterrence, and $9.2 billion in humanitarian aid. The Senate bill contained very similar provisions to bolster security in the region.

Persons: Joe Biden, Here’s what’s, Russia –, Israel, CNN’s Lauren Fox, Haley Talbot, Melanie Zanona Organizations: CNN — House Republicans, CNN, House Republicans, Ukraine, Israel, House, Foreign, United Nations Relief, Works Agency, Senate Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Russia, Iran, Taiwan

Washington CNN —Speaker Mike Johnson announced Wednesday he is sticking with his plan to put a series of foreign aid bills on the floor, including funding for Ukraine, after facing significant pressure from hardliners. The loan structure around aid comes after a meeting and news conference with Johnson and former President Donald Trump, who said in February that the US should stop providing foreign aid unless it is structured as a loan. The speaker has been facing mounting pressure to make tweaks to the foreign aid package proposed earlier this week – and not just from his most right-wing members. Other Republicans also expressed anger and wouldn’t rule out voting against Johnson on procedural motions that could upend the bill. “Let’s just hope that that does not happen, and that we can do our responsibilities, protect and defend our own democracy as we protect theirs,” former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson, ” Johnson, Donald Trump, Nicole Malliotakis, “, Schumer, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Thomas Massie of, Chip Roy, Texas, ”, ” Roy, Matt Gaetz, Hakeem Jeffries, institutionalists, Tom Suozzi, Jared Moskowitz, Johnson –, “ Let’s, Nancy Pelosi Organizations: Washington CNN, Ukraine, Trump, Republican, Senate, GOP, Moderate New York Republican, Wednesday, Biden, Republicans, Conservative, CNN, Firebrand, Democrats, Democratic Locations: Israel, Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Haiti

☆ Senate Democrats unceremoniously kill Mayorkas impeachment trial
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

On Wednesday, Senate Democrats voted to declare as unconstitutional both articles of impeachment against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas — effectively ending the trial. It put a swift end to what had been a monthslong process by House Republicans, championed originally by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia. Democrats agreed with Schumer's move, effectively rendering the articles moot and the trial over before House Republicans could present their case. Senate Republicans were also unsuccessful in their effort to pressure vulnerable Democrats to back their push for a longer trial. Greene forced her colleagues to vote on moving forward with Mayorkas' impeachment last November.

Persons: —, Alejandro Mayorkas —, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Sen, Lisa Murkowski, Mitt Romney, he's, Chuck Schumer, Schumer's, Schumer, Eric Schmitt, Ted Cruz, Mitch McConnell, Jon Tester, Montana, Mayorkas, Mike Gallagher, Wisconsin —, Joe Biden's, Donald Trump, Greene, Mark Green of Organizations: Service, of Homeland, House Republicans, Business, Senators, Missouri Republican, Republicans, Texas Republican, Senate, GOP, White House, Homeland, Democrats, House Homeland Security, Homeland Security Locations: Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Alaska, Utah, Missouri, Texas, Wisconsin, Southern, Mark Green of Tennessee

☆ House Republicans have a wacky new plan to finally pass Ukraine aid
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

AdvertisementFor months, the House has been sitting on a bill that would provide aid to Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and humanitarian funding for Gaza. But many, if not most, House Republicans are opposed to further Ukraine aid, and House Speaker Mike Johnson now has to deal with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's threat to call a vote on his ouster if he allows more Ukraine aid to pass. AdvertisementMany Republicans oppose Ukraine aid, while Democrats are increasingly skeptical of Israel aidJohnson's plan is aimed at addressing two separate pockets of opposition to the foreign aid package. After October 7, the Biden administration and Senate leaders insisted on tying Israel and Ukraine aid together, with the idea being that including Israel aid would incentivize Republicans to swallow more Ukraine aid. Johnson's plan is designed to allow progressive Democrats to vote against Israel aid, while hard-right Republicans can vote against the Ukraine aid — all while allowing the whole package to move forward.

Persons: Johnson, —, Mike Johnson, Marjorie Taylor, Israel •, they're, I'm, Democratic Sen, Chris Murphy, Biden, they've, Israel, Nancy Pelosi, George W, Greene, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Boehner, — Thomas Massie, Massie, Republicans —, Kevin McCarthy's, Abigail Spanberger Organizations: Service, Republicans, Senate, • Fund, Democratic, Georgia, @RepMTG Locations: Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan, Gaza, Connecticut, Iraq, Russia, Virginia

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