White House responds to U.S. Congress going on holidays without approving aid to Ukraine
White House spokeswoman Karin Jean-Pierre (Getty Images)
House Speaker Mike Johnson did not support a proposal to extend the work of both houses of the US Congress for a week to pass additional funding for Ukraine before Christmas. The White House believes that Republicans should not return home for the holidays when there is still important work to be done, White House spokeswoman Karin Jean-Pierre says during a briefing.
"As you heard yesterday from the President, the American people would not turn their backs on Ukraine and its fight for freedom against tyranny. Nevertheless, Speaker Johnson said that the House of Representatives would adjourn tomorrow without agreeing on the border, without funding for Israel, without funding for Ukraine's urgent needs," Jean-Pierre says.
According to her, such a step only encourages potential aggressors on a global scale, as the actions of the US Congress are being watched in Moscow, Beijing, and Tehran.
"House Republicans should not be returning home for the holidays when vital steps need to be taken to secure the United States and the world," the White House spokeswoman emphasizes.
US assistance to Ukraine
As a reminder, the United States is running out of money to finance military aid to Ukraine. In this regard, President Joe Biden has requested more than $100 billion from Congress, including more than $60 billion for Ukraine.
There are currently disagreements in Congress over this package, as Republicans are demanding that proposals to strengthen border security be added.
U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that the refusal to continue financial support for Ukraine would weaken its ability to defend itself against Russian aggression.
U.S. President Joe Biden urged Congress not to give Russian dictator Vladimir Putin a "gift" and to approve aid to Ukraine before Congress goes on vacation.
