Staff Reports
House Speaker Mike Johnson, the Louisiana Republican, fired back at the White House’s calls for more funding for Ukraine, making it crystal clear that emergency aid to the country won’t fly without toughening up U.S. border policies. Johnson took to social media, emphasizing that House Republicans are standing firm on starting any national security supplemental package with a focus on the border. He argued that a compromise could be reached if Senate Democrats and the White House come to the table with rational negotiations.
House Speaker rejects White House’s Ukraine aid plea until Dems ‘negotiate reasonably’ on borderhttps://t.co/yfQrpaeBYq pic.twitter.com/rZgdSEpeFw
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) December 5, 2023
Meanwhile, the White House Office of Management and Budget Director, Shalanda Young, warned congressional leaders about the urgent need for more aid to Ukraine, stating that the country’s funding will dry up by the end of the year, potentially leaving them vulnerable on the battlefield. Young stressed the lack of available funding and the swiftly approaching deadline, urging Congress to act promptly to prevent a crisis.
As the debate raged on, Congress grappled with the decision on emergency war aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. However, Democrats continued to resist Republican demands for policy changes aimed at stemming the flow of illegal immigrants into the U.S., adding another layer of contention to the situation.
With lawmakers gearing up to leave Washington for the remainder of the year in mid-December, the chances of any substantial legislation making its way to President Biden’s desk grew dim. Frustrated Democratic negotiators in the Senate voiced their dissatisfaction with the breakdown of border talks with their Republican counterparts.
Pointing fingers at the Biden administration, Johnson lashed out at their failure to address legitimate concerns about the lack of a clear strategy in Ukraine and a plan for ensuring accountability for aid provided by American taxpayers. Amid these international issues, Johnson stressed that the administration continued to turn a blind eye to the crisis at the U.S. border.
