In a move that has sparked controversy within his own conference, House Speaker Mike Johnson is pushing forward with a plan to vote on separate bills aimed at providing assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific. The plan also includes a bill imposing sanctions on Russia, China, and Iran, as well as a bill focusing on border security measures.

President Biden has expressed strong support for the package of aid bills and has urged the House to pass them during this week. The bill texts for the foreign aid bills were posted on Wednesday afternoon, signaling the Speaker's commitment to moving forward with the plan.

However, Johnson's decision to introduce a separate bill addressing border security measures comes after facing criticism from House Republicans, who accused him of abandoning demands to link Ukraine funding to border provisions. This change may not be enough to appease hardline conservatives, who have swiftly voiced their opposition to the plan.

The four bills addressing foreign threats are being considered under one procedural "rule," while the border security bill will be evaluated separately. Some opponents of the plan, such as Rep. Ralph Norman, a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus and the House Rules Committee, argue that this arrangement sets up the border bill to fail. Norman further emphasized the importance of Ukraine funding to garner support from Democrats, stating, "The thing [Democrats] want is Ukraine."

Republican Representatives Chip Roy of Texas and Thomas Massie of Kentucky, both of whom sit on the Rules Committee, have also spoken out against the plan. The three lawmakers met with Speaker Johnson on Wednesday to discuss their concerns.

The fate of the plan hangs in the balance, as three Republican "No's" in committee could potentially defeat the motion before it even reaches the floor. On the floor, Johnson faces a tight margin due to his razor-thin majority, leaving him with almost no wiggle room.

Rep. Roy, who opposes Ukraine funding, has already stated his intentions to vote against the rule, citing concerns about the border security bill being a "watered-down dangerous cover vote." The decision on whether Democrats will support the rule remains uncertain, with House Whip Katherine Clark emphasizing the need to review the substance of the legislation before making a decision.

While Democrats prefer a single House vote on the foreign aid package passed by the Senate, their priority is ensuring the passage of assistance to Ukraine. Clark also highlighted that providing $9 billion in humanitarian aid to Gaza and other countries, as included in the Senate bill, is a "red line" for their party.

As tensions rise and divisions within the conference become more pronounced, Speaker Mike Johnson faces an uphill battle to navigate these competing interests and garner enough support to pass the separate foreign aid bills.