Speaker Johnson continues facing backlash over Ukraine aid

The other big story we covered this hour after months of Republican infighting, lawmakers approved foreign aid funds for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. NBC News Capitol Hill correspondent Ryan Nobles has the latest in order for what once seemed unlikely in this vote. The As are 311 and the No's are 2 Passage of the bill has become inevitable as senators are on the verge of approving a $9 billion Homeland Security package that provides funding for key US allies. It has 26.4 billion in funds for Israel, which includes humanitarian aid for Gaza. 8.1 billion. For Asian allies such as Taiwan, it also authorizes the seizure of 5 billion Russian assets, tougher sanctions against the country and the ban of the popular application Tik Tock if the Chinese company that owns it does not sell it within a year, but the largest part of the year.

The more than $60 billion funding package for Ukraine was the most controversial and had the most immediate consequences because Ukrainian President Vlir Zalinski told Christen Welker that without this funding his country would likely lose the war and that we would have a chance to win if Ukraine actually gets the weapons system we so desperately need, is a plea that has been made for months while legislation was stalled and didn't matter much to conservative Republicans who argued that American border security should come before aid to Ukraine. Mike Johnson has betrayed America. Betrayed Republican voters, conservatives, have warned House Speaker Mike Johnson that even introducing a Ukraine aid bill could result in an attempt to oust him from his presidency, but Johnson, who once voted against funding for Ukraine, was presented with overwhelming evidence in a classified briefing that led to a change of heart, showed true leadership, if we had not done this the consequences would have been serious, one that could cost him his job, a threat, has come to an agreement with you, you do the right thing and let the chips fall where they may. that may be the right answer NBC's Ry Nobles reporting there and just a quick correction Marger Taylor Green had said she betrayed conservative voters by conservative voters she means conservative voters in Moscow um conservative voters who support Vladimir Putin conservative voters who hate freedom in Ukraine who hate freedom throughout the West who hate freedom uh that in places where the Americans guaranteed freedom uh since 1945 we don't like fascism we Americans don't like fascism we don't like communism and we don't like former communists who believe (and I suppose Margerie Taylor Green must believe it too) that one of the great tragedies of the 20th century was the collapse of the Soviet Union because Ladimir Putin is trying to rebuild the Soviet Union and there are a lot of Republican backers who are on their side in that battle, so join us now, NBC senior national political reporter Sail Kabore, how does this play out from here, especially as regarding Mike Johnson retaining his leadership role as

speaker

and potential Democrats who?

He may come to rescue you if necessary. Yes, first there are a series of important and open questions. I just want to point out that this only happened, this vote only happened because the Democrats, as the minority party, provided crucial votes on the rules committee to move forward and I provided more votes than the majority party in the House to activate this package that is unheard of in the modern times. And it sure sounds to me like we now have a coalition government in the House in terms of what's in this bill, the 60 billion. for Ukraine, as you see on the screen, it is the largest part, that was the reason this was delayed the whole time there was 26 billion in aid for Israel and a part of that went to humanitarian aid for Gaza , 8 billion for security. in Taiwan and the Indo Pacific and a provision on Tik Tock that would require the company to divest from its Chinese owners or be banned, notably this gives the company 9 months extendable up to a year by the president to divest from the uh the Beijing-based bite dance or will face a ban which is important politically because it means it won't happen until 2025 at the earliest, which means it will still be a force in the 2024 elections and there won't be the kind of political fallout that could have happened if this had been banned on the eve of the elections.

Now this bill goes to the Senate from here, where they will begin voting tomorrow afternoon, when they return from Passover, they hope to wrap this up in a day or two. This Senate approved a similar $95 billion package just a few months ago with 70 votes. The support clearly seems to be there. Now there is the other question. Mik, you pointed out what's happening to President Johnson. Marjorie Taylor Green. The Georgia congresswoman had threatened her job for weeks. does and has repeatedly described Ukraine Aid as a red line for her, but in particular on Saturday I spoke to her on the steps of the capital and asked her specifically why she had not tabled that annulment motion, why she had not activated that vote and what are you waiting for?

She was a little evasive in her response. Let's reproduce what she said based on what you just said. Are you waiting to see if there will be more support at your conference before calling a motion to vacate? There is more. the support is growing I have said from the beginning I am going to be responsible with this I support my majority I support the majority next time I will not support Mike Jenssen he is already an outgoing duck if we have the vote today in our conference he would not be a spokesperson today , now called him useless several times, repeatedly suggested that if she called the vote, he would lose without specifically showing him his work.

His Republican colleagues, several of them at least think he's lying in part because Democrats in this case specifically because Mike Johnson put Ukraine on the floor for a vote and let it go, he would come to her rescue. At least some Democrats have said they would, but of course, that wouldn't be the end of the situation. for mike

johnson

if he did that a lot of conservatives would be pretty mad if he stayed in that job just because the democrats let him do it guys okay nbc sahil kapor thank you very much and join us now nonpartisan editor . group protect democracy Amanda Carpenter it's good to have you on board, so Amanda, where is this going for Republicans like Trump?

Republicans who are trying so hard to keep their place with Donald Trump and people like Mike Johnson who seem to have broken away. I mean, he was in Maralago a few weeks ago and still found his own voice. Could we see more of this? Well, I mean, we're going to have to see how this plays out, but there's certainly something going on in Congress between Donald Trump, you know. apparent appeasement of Russia and Mike Johnson passing this relief bill so I think it should be done not even because of that M's politics just because it would be nice to see a president.

We talk a lot about what wedge in 2024. Could there be problems as we are going to take advantage of these moments of unity? Why shouldn't Joe Biden go give a major speech on foreign policy? You know, I'm just imagining it. It gives me chills, just thinking about an audience of Ukrainian and Russian Americans maybe in Pennsylvania or Ohio, if they want to go that route, talking about what this aid will do not only to protect democracy in Ukraine but also to help the United States here at home, because I think some of the things they miss and why Donald Trump is so effective and does This message to a minority of Republicans about why we shouldn't have this help is because they can't see the good it does here at home But if we could look at our fellow Americans who have experience having family in this country, I think it would be a necessary moment for us to talk about the meaning of American exceptionalism and why we need to be a light to the world and help other democracies. and support them in these struggles.

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