US House Republican Demand Spending Cuts Before Foreign Aid Spending

Infighting among Republicans who control the U.S. House of Representatives, and a threat to oust Speaker Mike Johnson from his leadership role, have put him under pressure to further delay action on a long-sought aid bill for Ukraine, Israel and other key allies.

With Kyiv running short of munitions as it fights off a Russian invasion, its Republican allies in Washington hope to see Johnson unveil an aid package that can move swiftly through the House and the Democratic-led Senate, and onto Democratic President Joe Biden's desk soon after lawmakers reconvene on Tuesday following a two-week break.

But hardline Republicans are demanding border security provisions and spending cuts to offset aid to U.S. allies. And they want Johnson to hold off until he has legislation that can win support from most of his narrow 218-213 majority.

Republican firebrand Marjorie Taylor Greene - a staunch ally of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump who passionately opposes Ukraine aid - has also turned up the rhetorical heat over her threat to force a vote to vacate Johnson's position as speaker in a series of media interviews and social media posts this week.

"Mike Johnson is not working for Republicans, he's not helping Republicans, he's not even listening to Republicans. Mike Johnson is doing the Deep State's dirty work," Greene said on X. "We need a new Speaker of the House!"

She told multiple U.S. media outlets that she expected to speak to Johnson privately on Friday.

"I respect Marjorie...…   We do have honest differences on strategy sometimes but share the same conservative beliefs," Johnson said in a statement provided to Reuters. "In spite of our Republican majority of just a single seat in just one chamber of Congress, we are still fighting this administration every day to make policy changes."

Some warn it could take months to build a consensus in order to reach a deal that would win the support of a majority of Johnson's Republicans.

"This could be delayed," said Republican strategist Ron Bonjean, a former senior House aide, adding he would not be surprised if the negotiations dragged on to early July.

Congress is expected to have few productive weeks left before lawmakers turn most of their attention to campaigning for the Nov. 5 elections, when control of the House, Senate and White House are up for grabs.

And they have other priorities, including providing funds to rebuild the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge over Baltimore Harbor and renewing authority for one of America's most hotly debated domestic surveillance programs.

The White House believes these spending measures separately have large, bipartisan support, but is aware that Johnson also has to satisfy hardline members of his caucus, according to two officials familiar with conversations, who were granted anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.