The $118 billion deal including the border appears dead. Unfortunately, Mitch McConnell still supports a $95.3 billion slush fund, mostly for Ukraine and Israel. 
The Path Forward
The path forward for more bipartisan spending is still open. It always is. In quick order, Senate to Vote on Ukraine, Israel After Border Measure Fails.
Senate Republicans blocked a $118 billion legislative package linking foreign assistance with border-policy changes, but lawmakers of both parties moved to quickly advance a narrower bill focused on military aid for Ukraine, Israel and other allies.
With the broader measure now dead, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) moved to a narrower, $95.3 billion version of the same package that would fund Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan but excluded border-security provisions.
Schumer said Wednesday morning he thought the narrower bill would advance. He said he would offer a “fair and open” process for Republicans to make amendments. The top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi, also said he thought the bill would advance.
If the Democratic-controlled Senate is able to take up the national-security package and send it to the House, Johnson would face a major decision point in his four-month-old speakership. Former President Donald Trump, the front-runner for the GOP presidential nomination, has railed against providing more funds to Ukraine, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R., Ga.), a Trump ally, has threatened an attempt to oust Johnson as speaker if he provides more money to Kyiv.
“I don’t know that our leadership is gonna put it on the floor if you don’t deal with” the border, said House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R., Ala.), a supporter of aid to Ukraine, channeling the thinking of some in House GOP leadership. He said that the most likely approach was to split the bill into multiple votes.
The New “National Security” Package
- $60 billion for Ukraine
- $14.1 billion for Israel security assistance
- $9 billion in humanitarian assistance for civilians in Gaza, the West Bank, Ukraine, and others in conflict zones.
- $4.8 billion to help allies in the Indo-Pacific and deter aggression by the Chinese government.
- $2.4 billion for operations in the Red Sea
- $5 billion is a mystery
- $0 for US security unless hidden in the $5 billion mystery
Divide and Conquer?
The House on Tuesday defeated a $17.6 billion Israel aid package after it failed to get a 2/3 majority. The GOP bill was designed to garner bipartisan support, but Democrats argued against what they termed a “cynical ploy” to undermine the Senate’s comprehensive national security bill according to Axios.
The vote to spend more money was 250 for and 180 against. However, that was short of the 2/3 threshold. 14 Republicans joined Democrats in voting against the bill, while 46 Democrats voted for the bill.
Biden threatened a veto unless there was aid for Ukraine. As I have commented many times, it’s always more of this in return for more of that.
Mike Johnson in a Bind?
GOP Infighting Creates Minefield
On January 19, The Hill reported GOP Infighting Over Ukraine Creates Minefield for Speaker Johnson
Johnson, since taking the gavel in October, has vowed to support another round of military assistance for Kyiv, where top officials are warning of dwindling supplies in their long-running fight to repel invading Russian forces.
But the notion of sending additional billions of dollars to Ukraine has fallen sharply out of favor among House Republicans — and the party at large — since the conflict began almost two years ago.
And Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) is already warning, in no uncertain terms, that she’ll file a motion to strip Johnson of his gavel if the Speaker stages a vote on a Senate-crafted Ukraine bill, which upper chamber negotiators are trying to combine with tougher security measures at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Greene has said she delivered that warning directly to Johnson when the two met in his office last week. And on Wednesday, the Georgia firebrand amplified that threat, telling reporters in the Capitol that the roughly $60 billion in Ukraine aid under consideration in the Senate is not only fiscally irresponsible, given America’s massive debt, but it would be wasted on “a war that is already practically lost.”
“I just told him [Johnson] it’s an absolute no-go,” Greene said. “If he funds $60 billion to fund a war in Ukraine to continue killing a whole generation of Ukrainian men — to continue a war that is a losing war, that [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelensky’s ready for peace talks — yeah, I would introduce the motion to vacate myself.”
Johnson’s October endorsement of new Ukraine aid marked a shift in his position from just a month earlier, when he joined most House Republicans in opposing $300 billion in new weapon systems for Kyiv.
What I Suggest
I suggest none of this and none of that.
However, Johnson appears open to more of this and more of that. And if more of this of this and more of that comes up for a vote it will pass.
If so, it would be $0 for the US, $95.3 Billion for money that will prolong wars.
We will label it “bipartisan progress”.
Neocon Elites
“Many prominent liberal and neocon elites – and that’s a repetitive phrase at this point – the overlap between conservative and liberals is almost full and complete. Basically, Neocons are the thought leaders of the Democratic party when it comes to foreign policy,” said Glenn Greenwald regarding Tucker Carlson interviewing Putin.
I side with Greenwald for blasting warmongers in both parties. Importantly, Interviewing is what journalists do.
A discussion of the term “elites” came up in conversations with friends recently. I voted either.
The EU Threatens Tucker Carlson With Sanctions for Putin Interview
For discussion of the Tucker Carlson saga please see The EU Threatens Tucker Carlson With Sanctions for Putin Interview
Of course, this post will get me branded as a “Putin lover” simply for standing up for the right of journalists to do interviews.
The irony of the day is propagandists at the WSJ, CNN, the Atlantic, and the Guardian accuse Tucker of propaganda.
Unsustainable Path
On February 4, Fed Chairman Tells 60 Minutes US Fiscal Path is Unsustainable
POWELL: So, it, I would say this. In the long run, the U.S. is on an unsustainable fiscal path. The U.S. federal government’s on an unsustainable fiscal path.
Everyone knows the path is unsustainable, but getting the Fed to say the need to address the problem is “urgent” was extraordinary.
Debt Blasts Past $34 Trillion
On January 4, I commented Debt Jumps Past $34 Trillion, $1 Trillion Interest, Another Budget Showdown Looms
The debt showdown is ongoing since October. In that timeframe, the size of the package on the table has risen by hundreds of billions of dollars.
And on January 31, 169 Republicans Vote to Expand Welfare, Bill Heads to Senate
And here we are, proposing to throw another $95.3 Billion at foreign governments, most of which will only serve to prolong wars.
Republicans never say how they will pay for anything. Meanwhile, my proposal remains: None of this and none of that.
They are going to get this money from paycuts in Congress, right?
It’s dead because Trump told them to kill it, so they did. He wants chaos and desolation because he thinks it will help him win.
He isn’t going to win, and you stop -the-steal idiots know that more fervently than anyone.
The GOP is destroying itself for a guaranteed loser that will be dead in 5 years.
Outrage and stupidity only get you so far.
“He wants chaos and desolation because he thinks it will help him win.”
Even broken clocks………
If you are so confident in your ability to see the future, then you should be placing large wagers in Las Vegas. Otherwise, keep in mind that November is a long ways away, and this election looks to be very tight.0
POWELL: “So, it, I would say this. In the long run, the U.S. is on an unsustainable fiscal path. The U.S. federal government’s on an unsustainable fiscal path.”
The long run keeps getting shorter and shorter, hence the WEF elitists talk of a Great Reset.
The future is almost now.
no, Mish, the irony is that the same fiscally responsible , no more wars, murka first publicans have no problem pouring more billions into Israel and funding eternal wars in the middle east. The 95 deal will fail and there will be the usual bipartisan support of Israel, but you will dare say nothing about that.
The irony is that Mike Johnson has a move he can make that would end all this extra spending. If the Dems won’t pass individual appropriations bills in advance of the next CR expiring, which is only weeks away, then pass a yearlong CR. Thanks to the debt ceiling agreement that passed in 2023, automatic “sequester” cuts would kick in, between 1-5% off the top of all cabinet agencies.
Then announce that the House is going to adjourn until after the election.
I doubt he has the chutzpah to do it, but he ought to at least threaten it as leverage.
“The irony of the day is propagandists at the WSJ, CNN, the Atlantic, and the Guardian accuse Tucker of propaganda.”
Everything that goes into a news publication or program, is edited. Someone decides what is left on the cutting room floor, that we don’t get to read about or see. At Davos, a speaker from the WSJ lamented that they don’t control the so-called truth anymore. That’s what it is all about, control of the narrative.
Whenever KTLA Propaganda at 10, talked about J6, they had a large banner intro that said INSURRECTION, accompanied with dramatic music. All designed to prejudice the audience. A propaganda campaign. There was no intention of reporting news objectively.
Viewers might as well have been watching Pravda.
We Are watching Pravda in case you didn’t know, it’s called the Main Stream Media.
Congress needs to put a stop to all voting until the border is secure and Joe Biden is impeached. Sorry Ukraine. Sorry Israel. Sorry lobbyists.
Inherent GOP conflict. Country Club GOP wants cheap labor and MAGA wing doesn’t want any more non-white immigrants, legalizing non-white immigrants won’t placate them. Demo tide has turned very badly against GOP and achieving the presidency thru traditional voting and vote counting is quickly slipping away.
trump needs sanctuary of WH to avoid prison and all GOP decisions are based on his personal needs which are destroying the Party of Lincoln.
Why is it that white Democrats are exploiting people of color, to gain political power for themselves? Pelosi obstructed a black woman who wanted to become Speaker of the House after Democrats regained the House last time.
Why is it in Chicago, that the Democrat mayor wants to shut down schools in which black children are achieving academic success? Is this an effort to maintain a victim class for Democrats to exploit? Rather odd, considering the mayor is black. I would have thought that he would have wanted more educated black people, not less.
Texas governor reacts to Biden’s criminal open border policy.
“These socialistic programs almost guarantee that more people will cross into America in the days and weeks to come. Article 3, Section 3 of the Constitution defines treason as “levying war” against the United States or “adhering to [the] enemies [of the United States], giving them aid and comfort” and that is precisely what is happening to our once great nation.” https://www.armstrongeconomics.com/international-news/politics/abbott-reacts-to-bidens-apathy-at-the-border/?
What a pathetic clown show.
Hopefully McConnell’s embalmer can do something about that neck.
He’s a snake and had just begun to swallow a Pig whole. That bulge in his neck is the pig’s head.
Tucker is doing real journalism and regime media is doing the exact opposite. Absolutely nothing in the Federal government should be funded until the border is sealed, and the millions of illegals inside our sovereign territory are deported. All foreign aid should be terminated immediately.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/chinas-economy-risk-brutal-debt-032405767.html
One would think that the Congress should be more about US border than the borders of foriegn countries. These people are bought and paid for traitors.
A week or so ago, neocon demoness Anne Applebaum wrote a column entitled “Are we really going to abandon Ukraine now?” Now or six months from now – either way Ukraine isn’t going to defeat Russia. So why waste more money and Ukrainian lives?
You don’t get the point. This is Russia’s Afghanistan all over again. This is less about Ukraine and more about chipping away at domestic support for Putin. Russia is a still a gas station posing as a country.
==This is Russia’s Afghanistan all over again.
typical western media-induced idiocy.
I guess you are not that bright to think on your own, so parrot the same BS!
over and over!!
The Russians won fair and square in Afghanistan.
After ten years, they moved the entire military out of the country. with flags flying It was in the 1989 year. It is on video!!! just google
————
Afganistan (Nadgibullla) had a perfectly capable and functioning government.
It was a USSR breakup in 1991 and later killed off the Afghan government. Money and weapons stopped flowing.
You would know if you had functioning brains!
alx
ps
AND NOW COMPARE TO VIETNAM OR AFGANISTAN USA’S ENDING
=t chipping away at domestic support for Putin.
ahaah!! ahhaha!! hahaha!!
you really wonder about mor1ons!! who are they? have they ever read a book? did they finish high school?
————-
Stalin lost 5 mil in 1941. did not bother him a bit!!
Putin has 75*80% appoval raiting. and now compare to Mr. pooping pants
and Trump!
alx
= Russia is a still a gas station
hahaha !! hahahah !!hahaha!!
well it is better than being just digital $$ printer as USA become!!
alx
How does it compare with the movie Zulu?
– Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) moved to a $95.3 billion version but excluded border-security.
> Of course He did…
– The top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi, also said he thought the bill would advance.
> Correct answer: I will not vote, or stop a vote if possible, to not allow this to occur. A member that must go!
– Johnson would face a major decision point in his four-month-old speakership.
> He most certainly would, and MTG get him if He fails.
– Former President Donald Trump, has railed against providing more funds to Ukraine.
> Hey Mike, I suggest that you listen, to who’s going to be you’re new Boss.
– House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R., Ala.), a supporter of aid to Ukraine.
> Another member that must go!
$60 billion for Ukraine > No!
$14.1 billion for Israel security assistance > No!
$9 billion in humanitarian assistance for civilians in Gaza, the West Bank, Ukraine, and others in conflict zones. > No!
$4.8 billion to help allies in the Indo-Pacific and deter aggression by the Chinese government. > No!
$2.4 billion for operations in the Red Sea > No!
$5 billion is a mystery > Hell No!
$0 for US security unless hidden in the $5 billion mystery > No surprise…
– Biden threatened a veto.
> Let him Veto anything and everything, and help hasten their demise…
I think all this money loops around to fund elections to keep these criminals in power
I think you’re right.
I can say, if Johnson allows this Ukraine money to come to the floor, I will never vote for any Republican ever again. And I will pray he is removed as speaker. And I have never voted for any Democrat, ever. Let it all burn.
While you’re praying, ask the Lord to take McConnell.
And Schumer and Biden and the entire Democratic party apparatus, and, …
So you won’t be voting any longer. What state do you live in?
There are always independent candidates on the ballot like the Libertarian party.
Here’s the REAL bipartisan support: Let illegal aliens damage the US.
I am depressed. The bond vigilantes did not turn out for the 10 year Treasury auction today.
Shhh! Don’t try to bring actionable financial discussion into Mish’s EV and Politics blog!
I 100% support Tuckers Putin interview. That’s what journalist should do, let the public know what the world leaders actually think, not what corporate media and their spin masters at the CIA, FBI, NSA..ect.. tell us.
Calling Carlson a “journalist” is a stretch. Putin is probably paying him to do this interview. It will nothing other than a vehicle for Putin’s propaganda that will feed Putin apologists such as yourself.