There are no atheists in foxholes and few isolationists in high office.

That’s how one senior political columnist explained why Speaker Mike Johnson went from opposing $300 million in aid for Ukraine in September to putting his speakership on the line last week to help deliver $61 billion worth of help to the war-torn country. 

“It’s easier to grasp when you realize Johnson grew up in the shadow of B-52s at Barksdale Air Force Base during the 1980s,” wrote POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin. “He’s a Republican of the ‘Red Dawn’ generation. It only took a higher level of intelligence briefings, granted to congressional leaders, for him to pick up that old Cold War hymnal.”  

The foreign aid package the House approved over the weekend also provides $26.4 billion to support Israel and $8.1 billion to counter China.

The Israel measure also includes more than $9.1 billion to address Palestinian humanitarian needs, which Democrats said was necessary for their support. A fourth bill addresses GOP priorities, such as allowing the sale of frozen assets of Russian oligarchs to help fund future aid to Ukraine, potentially forcing the sale of TikTok, and authorizing stricter sanctions on Russia, China and Iran. 

The Senate voted 80-19 Tuesday to end a filibuster and bring the proposals to a vote, which indicates the measures are likely to make it to the president’s desk. Final votes were expected Tuesday evening or Wednesday. 

Meanwhile, a third Republican joined the effort to remove Johnson, making it more likely that Democrats would have to save the speaker if it came to a vote.

Congressman Paul Gosar accused Johnson of treating the border like an “afterthought” and “bending to the reckless demands of the warmongers, neo-cons and the military industrial complex making billions from a costly and endless war half a world away.” 

In a press conference, Johnson acknowledged that his decision could cost him the job, but said he was doing “what I believe to be the right thing,” noting that his son is headed to the Naval Academy this fall.

“To put it bluntly, I would rather send bullets to Ukraine than American boys,” he said.

U.S. Sen. John Kennedy expressed his support for Johnson in the manner one would expect. “The man pisses excellence,” Kennedy said. “He’s doing the best he can under tough circumstances.”