Johnson actively seeks ways to resolve issue of providing aid to Ukraine
Speaker of the US House of Representatives Mike Johnson (photo: Getty Images)
Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, is exploring optimal solutions to the issue of providing financial assistance to Ukraine, states Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz.
"I gave the speaker some unsolicited advice. That we’ve got to get into a fighting posture. And I was very pleased with how the speaker received that advice. The speaker wants to put wins on the board for House Republicans, and we better start doing that. … I’m glad the speaker hasn’t rolled over to the $95 billion Ukraine supplemental that the Senate passed, and I think that he’s forging a better path on that issue as we speak," Gaetz said.
According to CNN, whether Johnson retains his position will largely depend on how he deals with the issue that causes differences among Republicans - providing a large package of financial aid to Ukraine.
After threats from far-right Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene against Johnson for putting a bipartisan budget bill to a vote, a spokesman secured the support of some other far-right figures, including Gaetz. However, Gaetz did not specify how Johnson intends to address the aid issue.
CNN notes that people who have spoken with the Speaker recently say that he, realizing the threat of resignation over funding for Ukraine, worked with key aides during the two-week Easter break to chart the course of his strategy on this issue.
At the same time, Democrats have indicated they will help Johnson keep his position if he advances a bill on Ukraine that they will support. However, several Democrats have emphasized that if he insists on unacceptable provisions, such as spending cuts or new immigration restrictions, he risks alienating both Democrats and right-wing Republicans who oppose aid to Ukraine.
Consideration of aid to Ukraine in Congress
Since last fall, the US Congress has been unable to agree on President Joe Biden's request for new funds to finance aid to Ukraine.
This year, the US Senate approved a bill providing for the allocation of about $60 billion in funding for aid to Ukraine. The document was sent to the House of Representatives, but it has not yet been brought up for consideration there. Johnson spoke out against the bill, stating that he wanted the document to also include tough measures to protect American borders from migrants.
Recently, Zelenskyy stated in an interview with The Washington Post that without American aid, Ukraine will have to retreat on the front lines. Before this, the Ukrainian president had a phone call with the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
