Conservative Outrage as Mike Johnson Betrays Principles, Passes $61 Billion Ukraine Aid Against Hastert Rule

On Capitol Hill, conservative lawmakers are reeling from what they see as a complete betrayal by Representative Mike Johnson. The Louisiana Republican has once again violated the Hastert Rule by passing a $61 billion aid package for Ukraine, despite strong opposition from his conservative colleagues.

The Hastert Rule, named after former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, dictates that a majority of the majority party should support any legislation brought to the floor for a vote. This rule is seen as crucial in ensuring that the agenda of the majority party is upheld and that minority viewpoints are not given undue influence.

However, Representative Johnson’s decision to push through the Ukraine aid package without majority support from his own party has left many conservatives feeling blindsided and betrayed. Some have even accused him of prioritizing foreign interests over the needs of American citizens.

Critics of the aid package argue that it represents an unnecessary expenditure of taxpayer dollars at a time when domestic issues like border security, infrastructure, and healthcare are in dire need of attention. They also point to concerns about corruption in Ukraine and question the wisdom of sending such a large sum of money to a country with a history of mismanagement.

For many conservative readers, Representative Johnson’s actions serve as a stark reminder of the challenges they face in advancing their agenda in Congress. The willingness of some lawmakers to break ranks and side with Democrats on key issues underscores the need for vigilance and unity within conservative ranks.

Johnson’s stance began to waver in early March following a meeting at the White House on February 28. This shift in position comes after months of behind-the-scenes efforts by both the White House and establishment Republicans to persuade him to reconsider his priorities.

According to sources cited by Politico, Johnson’s proposed Ukraine bill, which includes significant foreign aid provisions, has been positioned as a crucial foreign policy win for President Biden. The bill has been described as a means of granting Biden a major victory that has eluded him for over a year.

“We’ve been working with him for months to try to get him there,” one anonymous lawmaker revealed, highlighting the extensive efforts made to bring Johnson in line with the broader Republican agenda.

The document circulated by Republican House members aims to hold Johnson accountable for his stance and ensure that border security remains a top priority for the party. It underscores the ongoing internal debates within the GOP regarding the allocation of resources and priorities in light of national security concerns.

Johnson held a vote on a border security bill earlier in the day, but Johnson moved that bill under suspension of the rules, which meant it required two-thirds support to pass.

It received 215 votes to 199 in opposition and, therefore, failed.

The Senate is expected to act on the bill soon after receiving it.

As tensions continue to simmer within the Republican ranks over these diverging viewpoints, it remains to be seen how Johnson and his colleagues will navigate this challenging terrain in the days ahead.

As this controversial aid package moves forward, it remains to be seen how conservative voters will respond to what they perceive as a breach of trust by one of their own. For now, all eyes are on Representative Mike Johnson as he navigates the fallout from this latest political maneuver.