On Saturday, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) criticized Democrats for waving Ukraine flags on the House floor following the passage of a bill to provide military aid to the country.
Johnson faced pushback from some Republicans in the House who wanted to delay the vote on foreign aid until more funding for border security measures was secured. The bill, which was passed separately, allocated $60 billion for Ukraine, $17 billion for Israel, $9 billion for humanitarian aid, and $8 billion to support Taiwan. Another bill that could ban the popular app TikTok if it does not divest from Chinese control was also passed.
During the vote, many House Democrats chanted "Ukraine!" and waved the Ukraine flag, which drew sharp rebuke from Republican lawmakers. In a brief press conference following the passage of the spending package, Johnson stated that "we should only wave one flag on the House floor." He clarified that the "one flag" he referred to was the American flag, as he believed that this was the symbol that represented the entire House and the country as a whole.
Johnson also highlighted the unstable global situation, citing America's primary foreign adversaries - Russia, China, and Iran. He emphasized that these countries pose a threat to the prosperity and security of the free world and that American leadership is necessary to combat this threat. Johnson argued that turning our backs on this responsibility could have devastating consequences.
.@SpeakerJohnson (R-LA): "I don’t walk around this building being worried about a motion to vacate. I have to do my job. We did. I've done here what I believe to be the right thing and that is to allow the House to work its will." pic.twitter.com/Bmordvy1Zj
— CSPAN (@cspan) April 20, 2024
In defense of the spending package, Johnson pointed out that it includes measures for greater accountability over Ukraine aid and forces an "end game strategy" for the ongoing conflict in the country. He also mentioned the inclusion of a loan instrument and the REPO Act, which would ensure that Russian assets contribute to paying for part of the bill. Johnson stated that the House had made a decision to send bullets instead of troops, and he expects the Senate to do the same.
In response to the criticism from Republican lawmakers who wanted to prioritize border security funding, Johnson stated that the bill currently provides for the security of Americans by addressing global threats from foreign adversaries. He also acknowledged the need for border security and expressed confidence that a solution would be found.
The passage of the spending package amid chants and flag-waving on the House floor sparked a heated debate among lawmakers, and it remains a controversial topic. Supporters of the bill see it as a necessary measure to counter the increasing threat from foreign adversaries and protect American interests globally. Meanwhile, some critics argue that the bill neglects the needs of the American people, particularly in regard to border security, and that it sets a dangerous precedent for foreign aid in the future.
This is not the first time that political disagreements have sparked a spectacle on the House floor. However, in such a tense and polarized political climate, even seemingly minor actions like waving flags or chanting slogans can easily escalate into a heated debate. As the situation evolves, it remains to be seen what the implications of this bill and the related debates will be for both Congress and the country as a whole.