Feb 22, 2024
CHIP SOMODEVILLA/GETTY
Campaign group Republicans for Ukraine are launching a six-figure advertising blitz urging GOP House members to support a discharge petition to pass a bill containing additional military aid for Ukraine, after Speaker Mike Johnson declined to bring it to a vote.
On February 13 the Senate passed a $95 billion package including an additional $60 billion in aid for Ukraine, but it must also be approved by the House before President Joe Biden can sign it into law. Currently Johnson is refusing to hold a vote on the package, which he claimed is “silent on the most pressing issue facing our country,” in a reference to illegal immigration.
On Wednesday Republicans for Ukraine announced a “six-figure digital ad” campaign aimed at the 10 House Republicans they seem most likely to sign a discharge petition. A discharge petition, which would require the support of 218 House members including at least four Republicans, could allow the aid package to go to a vote without Johnson’s backing. Supporters of Ukraine are confident they have the numbers needed to pass the package in the House if they can get it to a vote.
Speaking to Newsweek, Republicans for Ukraine spokesperson Gunner Ramer said: “For generations, the Republican Party prided itself on standing up to dictators and leading the free world. Many Republicans, including many in Congress, still identify with that party and that role for America. Right now the critical issue in the world is whether free countries will help defeat Putin in Ukraine.
A GOP supporter from Ohio makes a similar point, commenting: “If we deal in weakness in the face of aggression it’s a clear signal countries like China to invade Taiwan.”
Another Republican voter, from North Carolina, says: “Everyone’s concerned that somehow if we send more weapons we’ll start World War III. I say just the opposite, if we don’t send weapons and check Putin now we’re going to have World War III.”
Newsweek reached out to Speaker Johnson’s office by email at 3:00 a.m. ET on Thursday. This article will be updated with any comment.
Last week Russian troops completed the capture of the Donetsk city of Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine, the first major settlement they seized since the fall of Bakhmut in May 2023. Ukrainian defenders had complained of ammunition shortages, in particular of artillery shells, during the fighting.
Earlier this week it was reported Iran has provided Russia with around 400 powerful surface-to-surface ballistic missiles that could be used against Ukraine. According to a report by South Korea’s National Intelligence Service in November, Moscow has also received over a million artillery shells from North Korea.
https://www.newsweek.com/republicans-push-discharge-petition-against-mike-johnson-1872277
It’s about time. This creature is a total disgrace, not only as House Speaker, but also as a Representative, and as an American.
“US Speaker of the House Mike Johnson received campaign contributions from American Ethane, a company 88% owned by three Russians. Now, do you understand why he was categorically against the aid to Ukraine?”
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/who-is-konstantin-nikolaev-putin-ally-behind-mike-johnson-campaign-donation/ar-BB1inCfU
Foreign ownership of US companies has created a giant loophole for Russian interference since the horribly misguided “Citizens United” ruling. And Congress is doing a big fat nothing to change that. Which shows, imho, how large scale the legal corruption, fueled by special interest donors, has become. No surprise, then, that most “average Joe” voters believe that the system is rigged against them, polls show. They got that right, indeed, it is!
Oh please, Mr. Gray, why be so harsh? 😉
There’s got to be some reason why this jerk is doing what he is. So, he’s got two reasons not to help Ukraine; his orange boss, who is probably also a paid for russian streetwalker, and his own corruption.
This fuck ruined the reputation of the state of Louisiana and Grand Dixie with the speed of light. Time Wicker of Mississippi becomes the new boss in da house!
Wicker would be good, Mike.
These Republican friends of Ukraine do more to break the Trumpish deadlock in the House than couch potato Joe Biden, who simply seems to wait for a miracle. Kudos to them! 😐👍
I’m glad Newsweek is doing a little reporting on this issue which has been going on for months. Now, maybe, some of our readers and contributors will finally realize the vast majority of US Republicans support Ukraine. But then again, if they did, who would they bash to feed their hate? Maybe go back to bashing putin?! That would be a welcomed change.
I will also bash the pro-russian faction of the “Republicans”.
Johnson’s bible is one of indignity and passive corruption. But not the one who encourages her followers to save her neighbor from darkness.
His name will forever be associated with the Red hot iron that martyred more than 40 million innocent people.