Speaker Mike Johnson is seeking final passage on Saturday for the package, which includes US$61 billion in funding for Kyiv long-delayed by Trump loyalists.
The Republican leader in the House of Representatives announced Wednesday a vote on a massive new military aid package that includes some US$61 billion in long-delayed support for Ukraine, as well as billions for Israel and Taiwan.
The move could finally get much-needed help to outgunned Ukrainian forces as they battle Russian invaders.
But it also sets up a showdown with Johnson’s own far-right wing, which for months has been steered by Donald Trump into blocking aid to Ukraine.
“We expect the vote on final passage on these bills to be on Saturday evening,” Speaker Mike Johnson announced.
Along with the US$61 billion for Ukraine, the bills allocate more than US$26 billion for Israel as it wages war against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip and squares up against regional foe Iran and its proxies.
They also include US$8 billion for Taiwan, which China sees as a breakaway province to be brought under mainland control – by force, if necessary. Many countries, including the US, do not officially recognise Taiwan as an independent state but oppose the use of force to change the status quo.
For months Johnson has faced huge pressure from the White House and much of Congress to allow the lower house to vote on aid to Ukraine and Israel that was already approved in the Senate.
