(Washington) House Speaker Mike Johnson announced Thursday that he plans to advocate for aid to Israel, Ukraine and other allies in Asia.
Mr. Johnson must navigate the troubled waters of the Republican caucus divided on the question of aid to Ukraine which must still defend itself from the Russian invasion that began in February 2022. He has been blocking an additional envelope of 95 billion for two months US aiming in particular to provide humanitarian aid to civilians in Ukraine and Gaza and to finance the sale of arms to Taiwan.
Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel this weekend gives him the opportunity to stress to his colleagues the urgency of approving these additional funds.
He said on Fox News that he and Republicans “understand the need to support Israel.” He added that he planned to present a proposal to his peers.
“The terms of the envelope are being examined immediately,” promised Mr. Johnson. We are exploring all options and additional questions. »
Republican Mike Turner, who heads the Intelligence Committee in the House of Representatives, said he believed that Mr. Johnson had finally found a way to get this aid adopted by elected officials next week.
Mike Johnson had indicated that he was in favor of legislation that would turn aid to Ukraine into loans. However, he demanded that the Biden administration lift the moratorium on liquefied gas exports. He also criticized him for not trying to resolve the migration crisis at the US-Mexico border.
In February, the Senate agreed on a resolution approving $60 billion in aid to Ukraine and $14 billion to Israel.
A White House national security spokesman, John Kirby, urged Mike Johnson to present this package “to the House as quickly as possible.”
“We don’t need a reminder to determine what is happening in Ukraine,” he declared on NBC. But last night certainly highlighted how significant the threats Israel faces in the region are. »
What doesn’t make Mike Johnson’s job any easier is that he’s speaking to both the White House and former president and presumptive Republican nominee in November’s presidential election, Donald Trump.
He seems to want to define himself as an isolationist on the international scene.
“We agree 100% on the major issues on the agenda,” said Mr. Johnson. It was he who presented the concept of Lend-Lease for aid to Ukraine. This is something important that can bring together a great consensus. »