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Speaker of the House Mike Johnson participated in a debate on March 13 at the Greenbrier Hotel in White Sulfur Springs, West Virginia.
House Speaker Mike Johnson told Republican senators in a private sponsor’s meeting on Wednesday that he was committed to finding a path to help Ukraine in the House, but the Republican senators called it a challenge to the country in conflict. This was taken to mean that the support was not over yet. meeting.
Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin told CNN that Johnson has made it clear he “understands the importance and the urgency and is looking for a way forward.”
But Johnson’s message to senators also indicated that the package he is considering is likely to be different from the $95 billion package passed by the Senate. Republicans are considering using some type of loan program, which would not provide equipment to Ukraine outright, but as part of a kind of lend-lease program.
CNN reported earlier this month that Prime Minister Johnson is working closely with House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) on a Ukraine aid package that could include elements of McCaul’s REPO Act, which would seize and relocate Russian assets. It was reported that they are looking for a way to create a . Perhaps a way to include some of the aid in a loan program, an idea originally floated by former President Donald Trump.
The goal of McCaul and Johnson’s efforts has always been to have the bill voted on by late March or early April. McCaul said Johnson would table such a House foreign aid bill after the appropriations process is completed. The federal government faces a new deadline to avoid a partial government shutdown on March 22nd.
“I believe he will,” McCaul told CNN on Thursday when asked if the speaker would bring the bill to the floor.
McCaul rejected the idea of sending aid to Ukraine through exemption petitions, saying he was “concerned” about that approach and instead emphasized the REPO Act and the form of aid.
“I’ve been talking to (Republican Sen.) Lindsey Graham about a direct government assistance loan program, and I think that’s a very popular idea,” he said.
Johnson reiterated his comments to senators at a Republican rally in West Virginia on Wednesday, saying the House’s proposed policy “may not be exactly the same as the Senate’s supplement.” “We’re looking at all the different options right now,” Republicans told reporters. ”
Following Mr. Johnson’s presentation, several leading Republican senators told CNN that they were open to sending aid to Ukraine through some kind of loan rather than direct aid in a relief package. But they also stressed the urgency of Ukraine’s request for further aid.
“I’m fine with that,” said Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee. “I think we’re going to do the right thing, support our allies, and do it in the national interest and in the interest of the American taxpayer.”
“We’re going to push very hard,” said Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, noting that the House needs to balance any action with the spending bill that funds the government. did. There is another deadline for funding to avert a partial government shutdown at the end of next week. “I would like to see it move a little faster, but I understand that the (spending) bill also has to be finished.”
But Republican senators have also stressed that Ukraine urgently needs more aid, and a loan program through both chambers could further delay funding.
“Whatever it takes to complete that supplement, I want to see it completed. Ukraine deserves our support, Israel deserves our support, Taiwan deserves our support,” said Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, a member of the Senate Republican leadership. “We owe it to the American people to be able to reach the industrial base and actually resupply and equip our military. And since Russia invaded Ukraine, we have realized that we are vulnerable. We have proven that.”
Johnson’s statement to Senate Republicans comes as Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has publicly said he wants the House to take up Senate policy now and stop dithering.
“The only way to get immediate relief for Ukrainians and Israelis is for the House to find a way to pass the Senate bill,” the Kentucky Republican told reporters.The Senate bill also includes aid for Israel. I mentioned that it was included. “As you all know, the simplest things that get changed and sent back here can take a week in the Senate. We don’t have time to do all of this.”
McConnell continued, “There’s a bill that got 70 votes in the Senate. Give members of the House a chance to vote. That’s the solution.”
Democrats are also not committed to passing the House version of the aid bill, warning that some of the ideas being floated could further complicate the aid currently needed.
“I feel like Chairman Johnson is strategizing for a day or two at a time, so it’s very difficult to know what the next step is,” said Democratic Sen. Chris of Connecticut.・Murphy said. “Speaker Johnson doesn’t need to come up with a new plan. He already has a bill that has passed the Senate and the president will sign it knowing he now has a vote in the House. Please call the bill to a vote.”
Republican Rep. French Hill of Arkansas said Thursday that the situation in Ukraine is urgent for Johnson, a relative newcomer to the House who has traveled to the region numerous times and seen the devastation firsthand. He said it was important to make a decision. Best approach going forward.
“I want to give Mr Johnson the space to convey to the new chairman, who has inherited a difficult situation, the approach he wants to try,” he told reporters. “And I think that’s a fair-minded thing to do. And I think we have the time and resources to do it.”
This story has been updated with additional developments.
CNN’s Morgan Rimmer contributed to this report.
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