Betrayal Complete: Mike Johnson Passes $61 Billion Ukraine Aid, Violates Hastert Rule Again

[mystery-ak]

Betrayal Complete: Mike Johnson Passes $61 Billion Ukraine Aid, Violates Hastert Rule Again

Bradley Jaye 20 Apr 2024

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) delivered President Joe Biden a $61 billion gift on Saturday afternoon, reversing his months-long pledge to never advance foreign aid without first securing America’s border.

Multiple Democrats — and possibly a few Republicans — cheered; shouted, “Ukraine;” and waived Ukrainian flags as the Ukraine aid vote closed.

“It is in violation of decorum to waive flags on the floor,” Johnson scored Democrats.

The Ukraine portion of the foreign aid passed 311 to 112. One representative, Republican Dan Mauser (R-PA), voted present.

Johnson, once again, violated the Hastert Rule. Only 101 Republicans voted with Johnson, while 112 — a clear majority — opposed.

Republican House members circulated a document outlining a timeline of Johnson’s repeated insistence that the House would not advance a foreign aid package before securing America’s southern border.

Johnson had begun publicly wavering in early March after a February 28 meeting at the White House.

His reversal follows months of grooming by both the White House and establishment Republicans.

“We’ve been working with him for months to try to get him there,” one anonymous lawmaker told Politico, which said Johnson’s Ukraine bill would “grant Biden a major foreign policy victory that has eluded him for a year.”

The White House and intelligence state reeducation of Mike Johnson began before his seat warmed. According to Politico, “the administration held several closed-door briefings for Johnson and other lawmakers to update them on the deteriorating situation in Ukraine, starting just days after Johnson became speaker.”

Officials involved in those briefings included CIA Director William Burns and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.

The Ukraine bill will be bundled into a larger foreign aid package that does not include border security.

Johnson held a vote on a border security bill earlier in the day, but Johnson moved that bill under suspension of the rules, which meant it required two-thirds support to pass.

It received 215 votes to 199 in opposition and, therefore, failed.

The Senate is expected to act on the bill soon after receiving it.

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2024/04/20/betrayal-complete-mike-johnson-passes-61-billion-ukraine-aid-violates-hastert-rule-again/

[libertybele]

Betrayal once again by GOP leadership!

[unite for individuality]

Johnson held a vote on a border security bill earlier in the day, but Johnson moved that bill under suspension of the rules, which meant it required two-thirds support to pass.

It received 215 votes to 199 in opposition and, therefore, failed.

This part of the text from the original post is very revealing.

P.S. - I need to be refreshed. What is the Hastert Rule?

[libertybele]

The Hastert rule says that the speaker will not schedule a floor vote on any bill that does not have majority support within their party—even if the majority of the members of the House would vote to pass it.

[Hoodat]

Betrayal once again by GOP leadership!

My wife just got a fundraising call from the GOP.  Fund this?  Hell no!.

[jmyrlefuller]

This part of the text from the original post is very revealing.

P.S. - I need to be refreshed. What is the Hastert Rule?

If you want to be and stay speaker, you keep your skeletons buried in the closet, lest you end up like Gingrich and Livingston.

[mystery-ak]

Ukraine’s Zelensky ‘Personally’ Thanks Mike Johnson for $61 Billion Gift from U.S. Taxpayers

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was “personally” grateful to “Speaker Mike Johnson for the decision that keeps history on the right track” after Johnson shepherded a $61 billion Ukraine aid package through the House Saturday.

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2024/04/20/ukraines-zelensky-personally-thanks-mike-johnson-for-61-billion-gift-from-u-s-taxpayers/

[mystery-ak]

Exclusive – Byron Donalds: ‘Incredibly Disappointing’ Johnson Violated Hastert Rule on Passage of Ukraine Aid

Reps. Byron Donalds and Chip Roy slammed Speaker Johnson for violating the Hastert Rule in passing the $60 billion Ukraine aid bill.

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2024/04/20/byron-donalds-incredibly-disappointing-johnson-violated-hastert-rule-passage-ukraine-aid/

[Right_in_Virginia]

"I've never been more disappointed in the Republican party in my adult life than today, truly sickening." (Video)

https://twitter.com/LangmanVince/status/1781765476118319232

[Right_in_Virginia]

Betrayal Complete: Mike Johnson Passes $61 Billion Ukraine Aid, Violates Hastert Rule Again

Bradley Jaye 20 Apr 2024

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) delivered President Joe Biden a $61 billion gift on Saturday afternoon, reversing his months-long pledge to never advance foreign aid without first securing America’s border.

Johnson, once again, violated the Hastert Rule. Only 101 Republicans voted with Johnson, while 112 — a clear majority — opposed.

Republican House members circulated a document outlining a timeline of Johnson’s repeated insistence that the House would not advance a foreign aid package before securing America’s southern border.

[Right_in_Virginia]

Monica Crowley
@MonicaCrowley

This is how much the uniparty hates you:

After voting to shovel another $61 billion to Ukraine while doing ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about our own border catastrophe,

they waved Ukrainian flags - when the ONLY flag that should be waved on the House floor is the AMERICAN FLAG.

Truly sickening.

However much you detest these people, it’s not nearly enough.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1781754382402421006/video/1

4:14 PM · Apr 20, 2024

[libertybele]

Exclusive – Byron Donalds: ‘Incredibly Disappointing’ Johnson Violated Hastert Rule on Passage of Ukraine Aid

Reps. Byron Donalds and Chip Roy slammed Speaker Johnson for violating the Hastert Rule in passing the $60 billion Ukraine aid bill.

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2024/04/20/byron-donalds-incredibly-disappointing-johnson-violated-hastert-rule-passage-ukraine-aid/

I hope Byron Donalds hangs in there.  There aren't too many conservatives left.

[Right_in_Virginia]

Rand Paul
@RandPaul

Ukrainian flags fly in the chamber of the UNITED STATES House of Representatives as they vote to send more of your hard-earned money to a corrupt foreign regime. And just like that they shout “UKRAINE! UKRAINE!”while happily working to secure Ukraine’s borders, not ours.

Last edited
2:20 PM · Apr 20, 2024

[Right_in_Virginia]

I hope Byron Donalds hangs in there.  There aren't too many conservatives left.

And he has been a vocal, energetic supporter of Donald Trump since day one of the 2024 campaign @libertybele

[Right_in_Virginia]

https://twitter.com/CitizenFreePres/status/1781803832789414137

[Fishrrman]

Make Marjorie Taylor-Greene Speaker.
(This is a serious suggestion)

Will she co-operate with the DCommunists?

[kevindavis007]

What Betrayal?

[libertybele]

And he has been a vocal, energetic supporter of Donald Trump since day one of the 2024 campaign @libertybele

Yes, I am absolutely well aware of that @Right_in_Virginia  and that support alone doesn't change my mind about not voting for Trump.

Trump made a huge mistake going up against Cruz and smearing him; I held my nose and voted for Trump anyways.  Trump made a huge mistake going up against DeSantis and smearing him, even before he announced he was running.

Smearing two of the most conservative politicians among other issues loses my vote.  I voted for Trump in '16, and I voted for him in '20.  I won't be voting for him in '24.  End. of. story.

[libertybele]

Make Marjorie Taylor-Greene Speaker.
(This is a serious suggestion)

Will she co-operate with the DCommunists?

I think your serious suggestion is very valid.

[Right_in_Virginia]

Yes, I am absolutely well aware of that @Right_in_Virginia  and that support alone doesn't change my mind about not voting for Trump.

Just wanted to be sure you knew who Byron supports for POTUS.  As with all things, what you do or do not do with the information doesn't concern me @libertybele

[Hoodat]

Monica Crowley
@MonicaCrowley

This is how much the uniparty hates you:

After voting to shovel another $61 billion to Ukraine while doing ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about our own border catastrophe

Not to worry.  That money won't be going to Ukraine either.  This is $61 billion in graft to ensure Democrats have enough campaign money in November.

[dfwgator]

Betrayal once again by GOP leadership!

GOP Leadership is an oxymoron.

[Hoodat]

Just wanted to be sure you knew who Byron supports for POTUS.  As with all things, what you do or do not do with the information doesn't concern me @libertybele

And if Trump were in office right now, he would pen his signature at the bottom of this bill, no questions asked.

[Hoodat]

GOP Leadership is an oxymoron.

You got that right.

[The_Reader_David]

Betrayal once again by GOP leadership!

Only if you think the isolationist wing of the GOP is the party as a whole is this a betrayal.  The old norm in American politics was that partisan politics ended at the shoreline and foreign policy was bipartisan.  It served us well all through the Cold War (arguably actually WWIII, fought in slow motion thanks to nuclear deterrence, which we eventually won). 

In fact, as a supporter of the old bipartisan foreign policy consensus, I think it easier to argue that the isolationist-let-Putin-have-Europe faction of the GOP are the traitors (possibly even in the strict sense of adhering to enemies of the United States) than that Mike Johnson has betrayed anyone.  The time for a Russophilic foreign policy was the early to mid-1990's (when I argued for one), not now that having made post-Soviet Russia into a definitional enemy for no reason in the 1990's when we could have genuinely befriended them (even as the Allies made Weimar Germany into a pariah for the sins of the Kaiser and the German General Staff in 1914), a revanchist regime has taken over and made Russia into a threat to international peace once more.

[roamer_1]

Only if you think the isolationist wing of the GOP is the party as a whole is this a betrayal.  The old norm in American politics was that partisan politics ended at the shoreline and foreign policy was bipartisan.  It served us well all through the Cold War (arguably actually WWIII, fought in slow motion thanks to nuclear deterrence, which we eventually won). 

In fact, as a supporter of the old bipartisan foreign policy consensus, I think it easier to argue that the isolationist-let-Putin-have-Europe faction of the GOP are the traitors (possibly even in the strict sense of adhering to enemies of the United States) than that Mike Johnson has betrayed anyone.  The time for a Russophilic foreign policy was the early to mid-1990's (when I argued for one), not now that having made post-Soviet Russia into a definitional enemy for no reason in the 1990's when we could have genuinely befriended them (even as the Allies made Weimar Germany into a pariah for the sins of the Kaiser and the German General Staff in 1914), a revanchist regime has taken over and made Russia into a threat to international peace once more.

Taxed Enough Already.

*mic drop*

[jmyrlefuller]

Taxed Enough Already.

*mic drop*

Judging by the size of the debt and the deficit, no, we are NOT taxed enough.

[roamer_1]

Judging by the size of the debt and the deficit, no, we are NOT taxed enough.

Stop spending. Reduce government. YES, we ARE taxed enough... too much. Way too damn much.

[The_Reader_David]

Taxed Enough Already.

*mic drop*

Then defund the misbegotten Federal agencies that only exist because Wicker v. Filburn turned the Commerce Clause into an excuse for the Federal government regulate everything, and continue to lead the free world against authoritiarians and totalitarians (while having an even better basis for that in being freer ourselves without the regulatory state).

[jmyrlefuller]

Stop spending. Reduce government. YES, we ARE taxed enough... too much. Way too damn much.

Here's some homework for you, then. Come back to me with a federal budget that is both balanced and offers the level of taxation you think is just right. I will wait.

[DB]

Here's some homework for you, then. Come back to me with a federal budget that is both balanced and offers the level of taxation you think is just right. I will wait.

Historically you can't get much more than 20% of GDP in taxation (all taxes) for any length of time. Demanding more only reduces what comes in due to depressed economic activity. We're already there. So demanding more will only result in less which won't help balance the budget. The only viable path is reducing spending.

[Free Vulcan]

Zillions in spending, not one iota of anything that would fix the issues going on with this country, like our wide open border. No attempt to use any leverage whatsoever.

Let's just wave the flag, beat our chest, play patriotic music, and chant 'Nat'l Security' over and over and over.

[Smokin Joe]

Declaring the Cold War over may have been premature. The communists and Communism have never been so prolific and healthy as since Communism was declared 'dead', as our Universities, media, government, and streets show.

[dfwgator]

If you want to be and stay speaker, you keep your skeletons buried in the closet, lest you end up like Gingrich and Livingston.

Or Hastert.

[roamer_1]

Then defund the misbegotten Federal agencies that only exist because Wicker v. Filburn turned the Commerce Clause into an excuse for the Federal government regulate everything [...]

YES.

[...] and continue to lead the free world against authoritiarians and totalitarians (while having an even better basis for that in being freer ourselves without the regulatory state).

NO. We ain't got the money to be the world-police.

[Bigun]

Here's some homework for you, then. Come back to me with a federal budget that is both balanced and offers the level of taxation you think is just right. I will wait.

Sound policy. (get rid of the fed, the Marxist Income tax, and reinstitute sound money.) Things will take care of themselves in short order.

[Bigun]

Declaring the Cold War over may have been premature. The communists and Communism have never been so prolific and healthy as since Communism was declared 'dead', as our Universities, media, government, and streets show.

 

[roamer_1]

Here's some homework for you, then. Come back to me with a federal budget that is both balanced and offers the level of taxation you think is just right. I will wait.

A decent rule of thumb: Administration/management of a business seldom exceeds 10% of operating capital. And that is high.
.
So if GNP is 'operating capital'...

As for the balance, FAIR tax. My major interest in that is that it ties government to production rather than income... You can bet the bank that they would get out of the way of production and encourage small business if that's where their bread is buttered.

We ain't got the money.

[roamer_1]

Historically you can't get much more than 20% of GDP in taxation (all taxes) for any length of time. Demanding more only reduces what comes in due to depressed economic activity. We're already there. So demanding more will only result in less which won't help balance the budget. The only viable path is reducing spending.

That's right.

[Bigun]

A decent rule of thumb: Administration/management of a business seldom exceeds 10% of operating capital. And that is high.
.
So if GNP is 'operating capital'...

As for the balance, FAIR tax. My major interest in that is that it ties government to production rather than income... You can bet the bank that they would get out of the way of production and encourage small business if that's where their bread is buttered.

We ain't got the money.

That, by itself, would solve so many of our fiscal problems.

[roamer_1]

That, by itself, would solve so many of our fiscal problems.

Sure would - IF it was their ONLY means of taxation.

[DefiantMassRINO]

There's still time to salvage Border Security using the FY 2025 Budget process.  Remember those things called budgets?

[Smokin Joe]

YES.

NO. We ain't got the money to be the world-police.

Lead by example, and let them find their own path.

[libertybele]

There's still time to salvage Border Security using the FY 2025 Budget process.  Remember those things called budgets?

That ship sailed about 4 years ago.  As long as the DEMS and RINO's are in power a secure border is NEVER going to happen.  There's too much $$ to be made and too many votes to be had.

[Hoodat]

Judging by the size of the debt and the deficit, no, we are NOT taxed enough.

@jmyrlefuller

Set tax rates anywhere you want.  No matter where you set rates, the net for the government will be 19% of GDP.  So anything over 19% will have to be borrowed/stolen/etc.

Setting tax rates determines GDP.  If you want to go back to post-WWII rates, set the top rate at 91%.  Growth will suffer, but you can pat yourself on the back by sticking it to those greedy capitalists.  And at the end of the year, you will find that government ended up with 19% of total GDP for the year.

Or you can set a flat tax rate of 19% with no deductions.  Everyone pays 19%.  Everyone.  Growth will skyrocket.  Democrats will complain, and at the end of the year, you will find that government ended up with 19% of GDP.

So which do you choose?  Option 1 or Option 2?

[Hoodat]

There's still time to salvage Border Security using the FY 2025 Budget process.  Remember those things called budgets?

Congress could pass a bill today allocating $100 billion for border security.  And the Biden regime still won't secure the border.  But they would at least have another $100 billion to spend on bring more illegals in.

You want this shit to stop?  Then stop giving money to government.  THEY are the problem.  When the government can no longer hand out free shit to illegals and they start enforcing laws already in effect, illegals will stop coming.  It is really that freakin' simple.

Stop feeding the destroyer.  Balance the budget.

[Timber Rattler]

https://twitter.com/CitizenFreePres/status/1781803832789414137

Yeah, I support military aid for Ukraine (intel, weapons, and ammo only...no cash pallets or funding its government or pensions) but this demonstration was way over the top, and they were clearly rubbing Republicans noses in it.

[Timber Rattler]

The Hastert rule says that the speaker will not schedule a floor vote on any bill that does not have majority support within their party—even if the majority of the members of the House would vote to pass it.

Here's the problem though...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Bn97tNnwoE

[Timber Rattler]

Congress could pass a bill today allocating $100 billion for border security.  And the Biden regime still won't secure the border.  But they would at least have another $100 billion to spend on bring more illegals in.

Right!  That money would either be misused to fund illegals or diverted to other commie causes (Green New Deal and DEI), or both (most likely scenario).

[jmyrlefuller]

@jmyrlefuller

Set tax rates anywhere you want.  No matter where you set rates, the net for the government will be 19% of GDP.  So anything over 19% will have to be borrowed/stolen/etc.

Setting tax rates determines GDP.  If you want to go back to post-WWII rates, set the top rate at 91%.  Growth will suffer, but you can pat yourself on the back by sticking it to those greedy capitalists.  And at the end of the year, you will find that government ended up with 19% of total GDP for the year.

Or you can set a flat tax rate of 19% with no deductions.  Everyone pays 19%.  Everyone.  Growth will skyrocket.  Democrats will complain, and at the end of the year, you will find that government ended up with 19% of GDP.

So which do you choose?  Option 1 or Option 2?

If that were the case, the Laffer curve would be a straight line. It, of course, is not.

So what happens when your mandatory expenses exceed what you can ever bring in in taxes, by your understanding of it? You're down to two options: print your way out of the crisis, or declare national bankruptcy and bring the whole system down.