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Mike Johnson targets Ukraine, Israel and TikTok in foreign aid push

April 15, 2024

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is looking to bring separate Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan funding bills to the floor this week, two sources familiar told Axios. 

Why it matters: Johnson's announcement comes shortly after Iran launched an attack on Israel, with President Biden telling Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu that the U.S. would not support a counterattack.

  • House GOP leadership has struggled to find a path forward on foreign aid that doesn't spark a revolt from the different factions of the conference. 
  • "Lot of people like the split up," one GOP member told Axios. 
  • A fourth bill that Johnson plans this week includes a ban on TikTok.

Between the lines: Bipartisan pressure is growing on Johnson to take up the Senate-passed foreign aid bill, which includes all of the above funding. 

  • "Extreme MAGA Republicans are out of excuses. The Ukrainian people are out of time," wrote House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.). 
  • Jeffries called this week a "Churchill or Chamberlain moment."

The big picture: Johnson has had to carefully thread a needle with his handling of Ukraine aid, with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green (R-Ga.) threatening to force a vote on a resolution to oust him if he brings it to the floor.

  • Despite coming under fire over an array of issues, former President Trump said he stands by the speaker, providing the Louisiana Republican with some cover.