Mike Johnson, the Republican speaker of the US House of Representatives, says he is confident that an agreement can be reached before the holidays on a new aid package for both Ukraine and Israel. This will require new measures regarding the US border policy with Mexico, which the Republicans would like to see tightened.
Negotiations have been going on for weeks about a linked aid package from President Joe Biden that is before Congress, and which provides a total of 106 billion dollars (almost 97 billion euros) for long-term aid to both Ukraine and Israel. If the package is not approved quickly, US aid to Ukraine risks drying up.
But the Republicans, who have the majority in the House of Representatives, do not want to simply approve Biden’s proposal. Part of the Republican faction is critical of aid to Ukraine. However, there still appears to be a broad majority of support across party lines. But given their dominant position, the Republicans do drive up the price.
“But I think it will be fine in the next few days,” Johnson said yesterday. “I am confident that we will be able to overcome the hurdle.” There is indeed a sense of urgency in Congress for both Israel and Ukraine. Aid to Israel is a “top priority”, according to Johnson, while aid to Ukraine is “also a priority”.
“We cannot let Vladimir Putin march through Europe, we understand the need for our help,” Johnson said at an event in Florida. “But for additional aid to Ukraine, we must also work on our own border security.”
