Isolationist House Republicans have plenty of power to spark chaos in Congress, but they can’t change the bipartisan consensus about America’s role in the world.
Lawmakers approved $60 billion in aid to Ukraine on Saturday with a vote of 311-112-1. (Rep. Dan Meuser, a Pennsylvania Republican, voted “present.”) Members also passed $26 billion in aid to Israel, with humanitarian assistance for Gaza, in a vote of 366-58, and $8 billion more to prepare American forces in the Indo-Pacific, and help Taiwan to defend itself against potential invasion by China, with a vote of 385-34-1. (On that bill, one member, Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib, voted “present.”)
“The House is still representative of the American people, despite loud factions in both parties,” said Rep. Mike Gallagher, a Wisconsin Republican, who will retire from Congress this week. “It suggests that the American people are in favor of standing with our allies and defending the free world.”