Kinzinger says Johnson ‘doesn’t have the political acumen’ to break deal with Democrats on aid to Ukraine

Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) said Monday that House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) has the “political acumen” to strike a deal with Democrats and pass Ukraine aid. He said he did not think there was.

“From what I’ve heard, I think Speaker Johnson, in his heart of hearts, would like to get it through Ukraine, hopefully tomorrow, preferably tonight,” Kinzinger told CNN’s Caitlan Collins on Monday. Told.

“The problem is, he doesn’t seem to have the political acumen to just put it on the floor and say, ‘You know what, Freedom Caucus?’ Would you guys clear your seats? ?Okay, give it a try.’ And we can make a deal with the Democrats to save him if we need to,” he added.

Mr Kinzinger’s comments came after a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who told Mr Collins that Mr Johnson had promised support for Ukraine.

“When we spoke to each other, he said he would do everything in his power to support Ukraine, and he is on our side, and he is our people, our soldiers, our civilians. And he said…his prayers are with him,” Zelenskiy told Collins about his conversation with Johnson in an interview recorded Sunday.

“I have to trust. I have to trust,” Zelenskiy previously told Collins about Johnson’s support. “But let’s take a look.”

“Well, I hope he’s right,” Kinzinger said of Zelensky’s confidence in Johnson, adding: “Obviously they had a private conversation.”

Mr. Kinzinger stressed the importance of passing aid to Ukraine and criticized his former Republican colleagues for not having the courage to urge Mr. Johnson to take action.

Kinzinger said that if Johnson passes aid to Ukraine, “they’ll put a statue of him in Kiev.” “The problem is, these men and women have an opportunity to make their mark on history. If only four of them went to Chairman Johnson and said we’re going to repeal all the rules. … He is going to suspend all action on the floor until you bring this support for Ukraine to the floor, which he will do within a week.”

“There are ways to get it done,” Kinzinger added. “He needs encouragement from rank-and-file Republicans to oppose the Freedom Caucus.”

Kinzinger’s comments come more than four months after President Biden’s recent request for aid to Ukraine. The Senate has passed a relief package that includes $60 billion in aid for Ukraine, but Prime Minister Johnson has refused to bring the bill to a vote. U.S. lawmakers are exploring alternatives to passing what many experts say would provide much-needed aid to Ukraine, but funding remains stalled in Congress.

The Hill has reached out to Johnson’s office for comment.