Rep. Mike Gallagher, a Republican from Wisconsin, may postpone his planned departure from Congress to participate in a critical vote on a foreign aid package scheduled for Saturday night.
Initially set to resign on Friday, Gallagher is considering staying an additional day to support the legislative effort led by House Speaker Mike Johnson from Louisiana.
This package, crucial for providing funds to allies such as Ukraine and Israel, faces opposition from several members within Gallagher’s own party, necessitating potential support from Democratic lawmakers to ensure passage.
Rep. Mike Gallagher (Credits: Fox News)
According to a statement from a spokesperson to Politico, Gallagher retains the flexibility to adjust his departure to assist in passing the aid package.
The package also includes legislation important to Gallagher that mandates the forced sale of TikTok from its Chinese owners, adding a personal incentive for his extended stay in Congress.
Gallagher had previously announced in March his intention to resign, following his decision not to seek a fifth term a month earlier.
The aid package in question not only focuses on Ukraine and Israel but also includes provisions for Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific region. Additionally, it encompasses the REPO Act, which aims to support Ukraine by reallocating assets seized from the Central Bank of the Russian Federation.
Rep. Mike Gallagher (Credits: Politico)
The necessity for Democratic support to pass the bill could exacerbate tensions within the Republican Party, as evidenced by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Rep.
Thomas Massie of Kentucky’s move to call for a vote on Speaker Johnson’s ouster. Greene has publicly criticized Johnson on X (formerly Twitter), accusing him of being out of step with Republican principles by relying on Democratic votes for passing legislation.
Apart from the foreign aid package, a separate bill concerning border security is also slated for a vote, further highlighting the range of critical issues before Congress. Gallagher’s office, when asked for additional comments, did not immediately respond.
