House Speaker Mike Johnson said Wednesday the American people want lawmakers to focus on domestic problems instead of on sending assistance overseas, repeating his pledge not to bring up the $95 billion bipartisan Senate foreign aid bill for a vote.
“We’re going to continue to demand that before we take care of issues all around the world we take care of our own first,” Johnson told reporters Wednesday.
“That is not a campaign message. That is the truth. And that is what resonates in the hearts of the American people. We are on their side. It’s the side of common sense. It’s the side of security, side of stability.”
But Democrats said the majority of the U.S. House of Representatives, including some moderate Republicans, want to debate and vote on the Senate legislation.
“All we’re asking for is a vote,” House Democratic Chair Pete Aguilar told reporters Wednesday.
“Over 300 members would vote for a package like that, but the question isn’t for House Democrats. The question is for Speaker Johnson. What is he afraid of? To put national security first? To help our country push back against Putin and make sure that our country is protected? What is his concern?”
