(NewsNation) — The House of Representatives is moving ahead with plans to vote on a package of foreign aid bills despite opposition from some Republicans who have suggested Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has betrayed those who helped vote him into the office.
Johnson’s office confirmed with NewsNation there are no changes to the current plan as the House considers foreign aid bills, including a $26 billion one focused on aid for Israel.
A procedural vote on the rule for the package is expected Friday morning with a final vote expected to happen Saturday.
The $95 billion aid package includes three buckets of dollars going to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. Israel would get $26 billion, with $4 billion for air defenses and $9 billion for humanitarian aid to Gaza included.
Some in the Republican Party have objected to the package, with aid to Ukraine being a significant sticking point within the party. As Johnson pushes forward with the vote, Democrats are expected to overwhelmingly vote to help Johnson pass the three separate bills, which would be put back together and sent over to the Senate.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., earlier filed a motion to vacate, which would potentially remove Johnson from the speakership, requiring the House to once again vote in a replacement.
Last year, Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., used a motion to vacate to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Ca., following McCarthy working with Democrats to pass urgent legislation over opposition from a small group of Republican lawmakers.
It isn’t clear whether Greene will force the motion to vacate, as some Republicans have expressed fears it could backfire especially as the party now has a razor-thin majority following the retirement of Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., making it increasingly likely Jonson may have to rely on Democrats to push legislation through.
The package has also become increasingly important since the latest Israeli strike on Iran as tensions in the region notched up another level, leading global leaders to call for de-escalation. In the wake of the latest strikes, the Biden administration is also considering a $1 billion weapons deal for Israel.
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., vice chairman on the Intelligence Committee, posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, with a dig at Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
“Hearing [Khameini] is having a blast today on his birthday,” Rubio wrote.
Florida’s other senator, Republican Rick Scott, simply posted that the U.S. stands with Israel as news of the latest strikes began to come out.
