Infighting among Republicans who control the US House of Representatives and the threat to remove Speaker Mike Johnson from his leadership role have put him under pressure to delay further action on a long-awaited aid bill for Ukraine, Israel and other key allies, reports "Reuters".
With Kiev running short on ammunition as it battles a Russian invasion, its Republican allies in Washington hope Johnson will unveil an aid package that can quickly pass the House and Democratic-led Senate, and soon then on the desk of President Democrat Joe Biden.
But hard-line Republicans are demanding border security provisions and spending cuts to offset aid to US allies. They want Johnson to delay until he has legislation that can win support from most of his narrow 218-213 majority.
In a series of media interviews and social media posts this week, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green — a staunch ally of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump who passionately opposes aid to Ukraine — also stepped up her threat to force a vote to vacate the position of Johnson as speaker.
"Mike Johnson doesn't work for the Republicans, he doesn't help the Republicans, he doesn't even listen to them. Mike Johnson is doing the deep state's dirty work,'' Green said in X. "We need a new Speaker of the House!''
She told multiple US media outlets that she expected to speak with Johnson privately on Friday.
"Marjorie ... We do have differences on strategy at times, but we share the same conservative beliefs," Johnson said in a statement provided to Reuters. "Despite our Republican majority of just one seat in just one house of Congress, we are still fighting this administration every day to make policy changes."
It's been nearly two months since the Senate approved a $95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other allies in a bipartisan vote of 70-29. Johnson has so far refused to bring the bill up for a vote, which some lawmakers say is likely to secure enough votes to pass despite opposition from some hard-line Republicans, as well as growing Democratic concern about giving Israel more money in its war against Hamas. in Gaza.
Some warn it could take months to reach consensus on a deal that wins the support of a majority of Johnson's Republicans.
"This could be delayed," said Republican strategist Ron Bonjean, a former senior House aide, adding that he would not be surprised if negotiations drag on into early July.
A number of Democrats have suggested they might reject a motion to remove Johnson if the Ukraine aid package provides adequate relief for the war-torn nation. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has toyed with the idea publicly.
Johnson told Fox News this week that the House would move forward on a new package "when we get back after this work period" and that he expects to include aid in the form of a loan, provisions allowing the seizure of Russian assets and resumption of U.S. LNG exports.