Staff Reports
In a bold and forceful move, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has made it clear to President Joe Biden that any additional aid to Ukraine is contingent on stricter border security measures at the southern border. Johnson, in a message delivered to Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young, laid out a series of demands that must be met for the House to even consider the president’s supplemental aid request for Ukraine.
Speaker Johnson tells White House Ukraine aid is ‘dependent on’ border policy changes https://t.co/5GxaksQInU
— Daily on Defense (@dailyondefense) December 5, 2023
These requirements include “transformative change” to the country’s border security, details on the utilization of military aid thus far, and a comprehensive strategy from the Biden administration to “prevail” in Ukraine. Johnson reinforced the need for accountability in how previous U.S. military and humanitarian aid has been spent, and insisted on a clear explanation of the president’s plan to ensure a rapid path to victory. After all, American taxpayers deserve to know where their hard-earned money is going!
Furthermore, Johnson firmly pushed back on the portion of Biden’s request that sought funds for Israel, pointing out that the House had already approved emergency funding for Israel in the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act. However, the Senate has inexplicably stood in the way of passing this crucial legislation, demonstrating a blatant disregard for the security of our ally in the Middle East.
The letter from Johnson also emphasizes the urgent need for action at the southern border, highlighting the record levels of illegal immigration and the surge in illicit drug trafficking during the Biden administration. These distressing developments cannot be ignored, and Republicans are insistent on working with the administration to implement comprehensive border security measures that prioritize the safety and well-being of the American people. It’s time to put an end to this madness!
Johnson’s demand for increased border security in exchange for Ukraine aid reflects the unwavering Republican commitment to prioritizing national security and protecting American interests. Despite reported challenges in the Senate, where Johnson allegedly indicated a lack of votes to combine the two issues in a single bill, Republicans remain resolute in their stance. They are engaging in extensive negotiations with their Democratic counterparts, determined to ensure that border security and Ukraine aid are linked together in the legislative process.
In a stark contrast, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to plead his case for passing the Ukraine aid to senators behind closed doors. Schumer’s actions have set the Democratic-controlled Senate on a collision course with the GOP-controlled House. The stark divide demonstrates a clear difference in priorities and approaches to critical national security matters.
