Amidst the seemingly intractable partisan division that has characterized Washington in recent years, the House of Representatives has defied expectations with an overwhelming bipartisan vote in favor of providing tens of billions in military aid to Ukraine. This vote stands as a resounding endorsement of the United States’ vital interests in promoting global democracy and countering authoritarian aggression, epitomized by Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. More profoundly, it signals a glimmer of hope for restoring the governability of the nation against the backdrop of deep political polarization.
In an era marked by the hijacking of one of America’s two major political parties by a self-serving demagogue, the future of self-governance in the United States has been cast into doubt. Donald Trump’s relentless efforts to obstruct aid to Ukraine have raised alarming questions about the fragility of American democracy. The inexplicable fascination of the former president with Putin enabled Russia to wage war on Ukraine with near impunity for weeks, as Ukraine’s defenses dwindled due to a lack of armament.
In a moment that tested the resilience of the nation, Mike Johnson, a staunch conservative from Louisiana and a relatively unknown figure before his improbable election as Speaker of the House last fall, demonstrated extraordinary courage in prioritizing the nation’s interests above partisan politics. Relying on Democratic votes, Johnson shepherded the passage of this vital aid package, proving himself a true patriot in the most classic sense of the word.
Beyond the critical support it provides to Ukraine, the passage of this bill has significantly weakened the aura of invincibility that Trump once held over House Republicans. Last week, the former president found himself confined to a criminal courtroom in New York City, where he was reportedly dozing off during jury selection, while the House grappled with the mechanics of bringing foreign aid measures for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan to a vote. Notably, Trump remained unusually silent on the issue, despite expectations that he would play a central role.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina attempted to salvage Trump’s image over the weekend, asserting that it was Trump’s idea to convert a portion of the aid to loans instead of grants, a move that Graham claimed was instrumental in securing support for the bill. If converting $9 billion of the $61 billion aid package into loans – loans that can be forgiven, no less – is the face-saving lifeline that Trump’s political standing requires, it is a small price to pay for ensuring Ukraine’s survival as a sovereign nation.
It is crucial to recognize this development as a major setback for the MAGA forces, far more consequential than the failed attempts by fringe figures like Georgia’s Marjorie Taylor Greene to shut down the government over budget disagreements. While more Republicans ultimately voted against the Ukraine aid package than in favor, the fact that 101 GOP House members voted in support is significant and has the potential to alter the toxic dynamics that have plagued Capitol Hill.
Whether the Ukraine vote marks the beginning of a sustained effort to break the partisan fever or remains an isolated exception to the depressing rule that has defined recent times remains to be seen. Few prudent observers would stake their bets on the former. Nonetheless, Democrats would be wise to exercise restraint in their celebrations. The Ukraine bill was a sobering vote, cast in recognition of the precarious future facing a nation under siege, not a political football. Furthermore, one effective way to encourage bipartisan cooperation on issues of paramount importance, such as border security, is to frame such victories as triumphs for the nation as a whole, not for any particular political party. If, in the process, the manipulations emanating from Mar-a-Lago become less influential, all the better.
The attempts by Trump and his acolytes to portray him as instrumental in the success of the Ukraine aid bill are ironically encouraging. Trump’s actions are invariably motivated by self-interest, not by concern for the nation’s well-being. That much is abundantly clear. Yet, if Trump can be maneuvered into positions that inadvertently benefit the country, it could prove to be a winning formula in the future.
