House Speaker reacts to Senate's new aid bill for Ukraine
Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Mike Johnson (Getty Images)
The U.S. House of Representatives expects the Senate to pass a separate international assistance bill that includes Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. The bill will not include changes to US border security, according to the U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Johnson, as the Financial Times notes, refused to express his view on the Senate's proposal to approve the aid separately from changes to immigration policy.
Speaker says they will see what the Senate does. They are letting the process unfold and will take it up as soon as it's sent (by the Senate - ed.).
Johnson adds that he had made it clear that these issues have to be addressed on the merits, and Israel is desperate for help, and everyone knows it.
A separate vote on military aid to Ukraine may expose Johnson to criticism from radical Republicans who oppose the continuation of funding for Ukraine.
What preceded it
The U.S. Senate was supposed to pass a bill to help Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan along with the protection of the U.S. southern border. The Senate voted to block the bill.
Ukraine's Ambassador to the United States Oksana Markarova said that the Senate had decided to reconsider the bill to help Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, but without migration reform and border security.
The vote will take place on Thursday, February 8.
