Rep. McCaul is Caught in a Catch-22 Situation Regarding Ukraine Aid Vote

House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas, expressed his belief that a Ukraine aid package will eventually pass in the chamber, possibly despite opposition from House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.

McCaul made these remarks during a breakfast organized by The Christian Science Monitor in Washington, D.C, on Friday.

Earlier this week, the Senate passed a $95.3 billion aid package, which did not include any southern border measures. Johnson has stated that he will not bring this package for a floor vote in the House, at least not in its current form.

McCaul, however, believes that Johnson will have to eventually bring it to the floor despite facing opposition from the conservative wing, or the bill will go to a vote through a discharge petition, which would result in a loss of power for Johnson. A discharge vote could take place if a majority of House lawmakers sign the petition to release it for a vote.

“I think that’s going to be a difficult choice for him; because if they’re threatening a motion to vacate, it’s a tough decision,” McCaul said, according to The Hill.

“I don’t see any way of getting out of Israel, Indo Pacific, and eventually Ukraine coming to the floor. He’s either going to have to do it — put it on the floor himself — or it’s going to be by virtue of a discharge petition, which is a complete evisceration of his power, because it basically says we’re going to do this without the speaker being in charge,” McCaul added.

McCaul criticized members of the House who “can’t be persuaded” because of the “brainwashing” that persists of choosing “between our southern border and Ukraine.”

“I don’t agree with that. I think it’s a false dichotomy choice. I think we’re a great nation, and we can do both,” McCaul said. “I live in Texas. But I think we have to explain to the American people why Ukraine is a national security interest: It directly impacts China and has an impact on our adversaries.”

Regardless, McCaul sees the foreign aid package passing by April.

“At the end of the day, I do think a majority in the House will pass this,” he said, the Monitor reported.