Evening Report — Biden, Senate leaders press Johnson for foreign aid vote

by Amee LaTour - 02/13/24 5:28 PM ET

Evening Report

Biden, Senate leaders press Johnson for foreign aid vote

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is facing mounting pressure from President Biden and bipartisan members of the upper chamber to bring the Senate-passed Ukraine funding package to the House floor for a vote.

The $95 billion foreign aid package, which includes money for Ukraine, Israel, the Indo-Pacific and more, cleared the Senate in a predawn vote Tuesday, but faces tougher GOP opposition in the House.

While Johnson has cast doubt on whether he’ll bring the bill to the floor, noting a lack of border policy reforms demanded by conservatives, supporters of the aid package predict it would pass if given a vote.

From Biden: “For Republicans in Congress who think they can oppose funding for Ukraine and not be held accountable: History is watching. History is watching. History is watching,” Biden emphasized, adding, “Failure to support Ukraine at this critical moment will never be forgotten.”
From Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.): “I would hope to speak to Speaker Johnson directly, and my message is this is a rare moment where history is looking upon the United States and seeing if we will stand up for our values, stand up to bullies like [Russian President Vladimir] Putin and do the right thing.”
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.): “We’ve heard all kinds of rumors about whether the House supports Ukraine or doesn’t. It seems to me that the easy way to solve that would be to vote. And I hope the Speaker will find a way to allow the House to work its will on the issue of Ukraine aid and the other parts of the bill, as well.”

What Johnson said Tuesday: “National security begins with border security.”

Welcome to Evening Report! I’m Amee LaTour, catching you up from the afternoon and what’s coming tomorrow. Not on the list? Subscribe here.

CATCH UP QUICK

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NEW THIS AFTERNOON

Voters head to the polls in race to replace George Santos

On a chilly day in New York, voters in the 3rd Congressional District are heading to the polls today to decide who will replace expelled former Rep. George Santos (R).

Tom Suozzi, a former Democratic congressman, is facing off against Nassau County legislator Mazi Pilip, a registered Democrat who is running as a Republican.

What little polling there’s been has shown a tight race, and the results stand to significantly impact the House, where the GOP has a narrow majority. The Hill’s Jared Gans has more on the dynamics of the race here.

Watch live results from Decision Desk HQ tonight

More from The Hill: Dems vie for Santos’s seat on snowy Election Day

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With House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) back from medical treatment and all else the same as last time, the resolution would pass by one vote.
The effort would then move to the Senate for a trial, where it would need a two-thirds majority to convict Mayorkas — something members of both parties say is extremely unlikely.

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