Speaker Mike Johnson unveiled a gambit to burst a legislative logjam and unleash a four-vote flood including a standalone vote on tens of billions in American taxpayer aid to Ukraine.
Johnson's at-a-glance perplexing decision to include two subjects already handled by the House appears to be part of that strategy to enable a stand-alone vote on Ukraine.
In the days after Iran's missile attacks on Israel, Johnson has avoided the usual Congressional calls for the opposite chamber to take up the other's legislation, with Johnson notably not asking the Senate to take up the House-passed Israel aid bill.
With the four-subject rule, Johnson can claim Ukraine aid's inclusion was necessary for other priorities - most notably, Israel - and that his plan allowed each Member the opportunity to oppose the stand-alone Ukraine aid.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene speaks to reporters outside of the U.S. Capitol Building after a vote on a funding bill that would avert a government shutdown on March 22, 2024 in Washington, DC. But Johnson could hope that enough Democrat members will make the rare crossover on a rule vote to avoid endeavoring to explain parliamentary ins-and-outs to constituents angry that their Congressman blocked a vote on such highly motivating issues like aid to Israel and Ukraine.
Greene, leaving Monday night's meeting, called Johnson's scheme "Another wrong direction for Speaker Johnson," although she did not commit to force a motion to vacate until more details are revealed.
Johnson is likely to violate conference and House rules requiring 72 hours to review legislation before a vote.
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