House Speaker Faces Pressure on Stalled Ukraine Aid Package
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House Speaker Mike Johnson has delayed action on a $95 billion Ukraine aid package approved by the Senate. He faces pressure from both parties to hold a vote when Congress returns in April.
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Hardline conservatives oppose the aid and have threatened to remove Johnson as Speaker if he allows a vote. But some Democrats could protect him to get the aid passed.
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Johnson is weighing whether to split off Israel funding, which lacks full Democratic support, to ease passage of Ukraine aid. He's also mulling providing loans rather than grants.
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Top Republican and Democrats alike have warned that failure to swiftly approve aid could have devastating consequences as Russia renews its offensive and Ukraine runs low on ammo.
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Ukrainians are closely monitoring the aid debate in Congress, with many aware of obstructionist members' names. Their lives depend on passage of the package.