Dear Editor:

With the recent votes in the U.S. Congress to provide aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, we are witnessing an encouraging sign that the stranglehold MAGA Republicans in the House have held on legislation may slowly be eroding, especially with the courageous decision by House Speaker Mike Johnson, himself a MAGA supporter, to allow a vote on these foreign policy issues.

Johnson must be commended for his decision, despite running the risk of losing his job due to opposition from far right House members. The 311 bipartisan House vote to provide aid to Ukraine, was almost evenly divided among Republicans with 112 voting against the aid, and 101 for it. All 210 Democrats voted in favor. After the House passage Johnson said “we did our work here, and I think history will judge it well.”

The allocation of aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan was approved by the House in three separate bills, a measure proposed by Johnson to get the foreign aid legislation approved over the opposition of many of his isolationist Republican colleagues. In the Senate the three bills were combined into one $95 billion bill that passed the Senate July 23 by a vote of 79 to 18 and now goes to President Biden for his signature.

The passage of this legislation sends a powerful message to the world that the United States stands ready to assist its partners in promoting stability, security, and prosperity in regions facing geopolitical tensions and conflicts.

And, Speaker Johnson's decision to change from opposing the legislation to supporting and promoting it highlights the importance of dialogue and compromise in our political system. In a time when political polarization dominates the headlines, it is refreshing to see a leader who is willing to listen to opposing viewpoints and act in the best interests of the nation he serves.

Wendy Ross

Wiscasset