White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia – House Speaker Mike Johnson made it clear that the chamber will not prioritize a supplemental aid package for Ukraine until funding the federal government for the rest of the fiscal year is secured. Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, expressed his support for Kyiv against Russia’s invasion during a “Fireside Chat” at the House GOP Issues Conference, emphasizing the importance of not rushing a bill that includes $60 billion in assistance for Eastern Europe to avoid affecting government spending talks.
House Republicans have been divided for about six months over government funding, leading to the removal of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy last October. The ongoing dispute has also raised concerns within the party regarding further aid to Ukraine, with some threatening to remove Johnson if the topic is brought up for a vote.
President Biden recently signed a $460 billion package, encompassing six of the 12 spending bills needed to fund the government until September 30. Johnson is now working to finalize the remaining six spending bills before the March 22 deadline to prevent another partial shutdown, which includes significant funding for the Pentagon.
Despite bipartisan support in the Senate for a $95 billion supplemental bill with around $60 billion designated for Ukraine, Johnson opted not to proceed with a House vote, leading to criticism from the Biden administration and Democrats urging prompt action due to Ukraine’s military challenges and urgent need for support.
Johnson highlighted the urgency of the situation in Ukraine but placed blame on the Biden administration for delays, citing unanswered questions about the war’s impact and outcomes. Border security reforms have also been a point of contention, with Republicans insisting on addressing both issues together, a position previously advocated by McCarthy.
Efforts from some House Republicans, notably led by Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, to bypass Johnson through a discharge petition to secure a House vote on Ukraine aid have added to the ongoing political maneuvering. Democrats have also pursued their discharge petition to consider the Senate-passed $95 billion package, reflecting the intense debate within Congress on the issue.
In the midst of these deliberations, the Biden administration announced a $300 billion military assistance tranche to Ukraine funded by Defense Department contract savings. Johnson expressed hope for continued negotiations on border reforms, highlighting the public’s demand for action on these critical issues.
The ongoing House Republican Issues Conference at the Greenbrier resort in West Virginia serves as a platform for lawmakers to formulate policy strategies for the legislative year ahead, underscoring the complex and contentious nature of the current political landscape in Washington.