During a Monday event in Florida, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) expressed his confidence and optimism in Congress’s ability to pass supplemental funding for Israel and Ukraine. However, he did not commit to tying the two together, emphasizing that Ukraine funding must be coupled with border policy changes.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has pledged to bring a vote on the supplemental funding for Israel, Ukraine, and the Indo-Pacific region as soon as next week.
Johnson stated, “We have some negotiations that are going on in earnest. In fact, I was on the flight before we landed texting back and forth with Senate colleagues and others who are working on the negotiation.”
The Speaker has consistently advocated for separating Israel and Ukraine funding and urged the Senate to consider a House-passed bill that links aid to Israel with funding cuts to the IRS.
Johnson added, “Listen, Israel is a top priority for the United States, and supporting our ally there is critical. It’s been sitting on this in the Senate and on Chuck Schumer’s desk. And so we are encouraging him to get that done.”
Schumer has rejected the House-passed bill.
Furthermore, Johnson expressed support for passing a Ukraine funding measure that includes changes to U.S. border policy, stating, “Ukraine is another priority. Of course, we can’t allow Vladimir Putin to march through Europe. And we understand the necessity of assisting there. What we’ve said is that if there is to be additional assistance to Ukraine – which most members of Congress believe is important – we have to also work on changing our own border policy.”
Johnson indicated that the details for a larger funding package are still in flux, saying, “With regard to the rest of it, there’s some other items in the supplemental package – I think all that will come together in the coming days.”
He concluded, “We have a sense of urgency about this, and there are deadlines on it as well. So, I’m confident and optimistic that we’ll be able to get that done.”
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