The House just advanced legislation to send aid to Ukraine and other embattled U.S. allies overseas, clearing a key procedural hurdle after Democrats stepped in to back the measure, a rare move by the minority party, but one that was crucial to move the package forward in the face of fierce conservative opposition. Three Republicans on the House Rules Committee had voted against the rule on the panel late Thursday night, and 55 conservatives voted against it again when it hit the House floor Friday morning. The House Freedom Caucus released an official position Thursday urging all Republicans to oppose the rule. The chamber approved the foreign aid rule in a 316-94 vote, opening up debate on a quartet of bills combining military aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with humanitarian assistance to Gaza and other global war zones. The successful rule tees up final passage of all four measures, which are scheduled to hit the floor in separate votes Saturday afternoon.
While no more votes are expected in the House today, the chamber is debating H.R. 3602 – End the Border Catastrophe Act, as amended.
The Senate convened at 11:00 A.M. and is continuing work on the motion to proceed to H.R.7888, to reform the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, post-cloture.
