Furthermore, the package unveiled by Johnson on Wednesday contains provisions that grant the President the authority to eliminate half of Ukraine’s debt after November 15, 2024, with the remaining portion to be canceled after January 1, 2024.
It is no surprise that Joe Biden has expressed strong support for this package and is urging both the House and Senate to approve it.
In the event of President Trump’s anticipated victory in the 2024 election, Biden would have the ability to waive 50% of Ukraine’s debt before his term concludes in January.
However, should Biden and the Democrats manage to secure another contested election, they could forgive the entire debt just over a year later. This is not a loan but rather a form of assistance.
An amendment put forth by Marjorie Taylor Greene within a funding bill allocating $26.38 billion to Israel proposes redirecting some of these funds towards developing space laser technology aimed at enhancing border security along the US southern border.
The amendment specifies that funds from this Act should be allocated for the advancement of space laser technology along the southwest border.
“Israel has some of the best unmanned defense systems in the world. I’ve previously voted to fund space lasers for Israel’s defense. America needs to take our national security seriously and deserves the same type of defense for our border that Israel has and proudly uses,” said Greene in a post on X:
Israel has some of the best unmanned defense systems in the world.
I’ve previously voted to fund space lasers for Israel’s defense.
America needs to take our national security seriously and deserves the same type of defense for our border that Israel has and proudly uses. pic.twitter.com/oDeDqTXvQQ
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) April 18, 2024
Another amendment would require members who vote for the Ukraine aid bill to enlist in the Ukrainian military and go fight the war themselves. The amendment reads, “Any Member of Congress who votes in favor of this Act shall be required to conscript in the Ukrainian military.”
Greene said on X, “I mean if you want to fund the war, why don’t you go fight in it. Show your support for Ukraine.”
I mean if you want to fund the war, why don’t you go fight in it.
Show your support for Ukraine. https://t.co/J7JIvJgji5
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) April 18, 2024
The Amendments read:
Each amount made available by this Act is hereby reduced by 100 percent, and such amounts shall be made available to the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assist the communities in and around East Palestine, Ohio.
Each amount made available by this Act is hereby reduced by 100 percent and such amounts shall be made available to the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the purposes of aiding the communities in and around Lahaina, Hawaii.
Via Nick Sortor:
🚨 JUST IN: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has introduced MULTIPLE amendments to the Ukraine aid bill
Two of which divert 100% of the funds to support the victims of East Palestine, Ohio AND Maui, Hawaii.
Now THAT’S how you put AMERICA FIRST! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/N2gdprqtAo
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) April 18, 2024
Last month, Marjorie Taylor Greene filed a Motion to Vacate the Chair in an attempt to remove Mike Johnson as Speaker of The House.
This move came after the House passed a $1.2 trillion spending bill with greater support from Democrats than Republicans.
The vote, which resulted in a 286 to 134 count, saw 185 Democrats and 101 Republicans voting in favor.
Subsequently, the bill was approved by the Democrat-controlled Senate.
The spending bill, passed before Congress went on recess, has been criticized for leaving the border vulnerable to illegal immigration under Joe Biden’s administration.
Additionally, it includes provisions for abortions up until birth and funding for youth transgender and LGBTQ programs.
In recent weeks, Speaker Mike Johnson and his Republican colleagues have faced backlash for their perceived concessions on key issues such as the spending bill, reauthorization of warrantless searches under FISA Section 702, and a controversial foreign aid package introduced recently.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) announced in an X post on Monday, “I just told Mike Johnson in conference that I’m cosponsoring the Motion to Vacate that was introduced by Rep. MTG. He should pre-announce his resignation (as Boehner did), so we can pick a new Speaker without ever being without a GOP Speaker.”
