Biden given Republican ultimatum on Ukraine aid: Speaker Mike Johnson says there will be no extra cash for Kyiv WITHOUT border security – and reveals there will be a vote on advancing impeachment next week
- “Ukraine's funding is conditioned on making transformative changes to our country's border security laws,” Johnson wrote in a letter to the White House
- “Any national security package must start with the security of our own borders,” the speaker emphasized during a news conference on Capitol Hill.
Speaker Mike Johnson vowed that no funding for Ukraine would pass the House of Representatives without “transformative” border security provisions — as immigration talks in the Democratic-led Senate appear to be at a standstill.
“Ukraine's funding is conditioned on making transformative changes to our country's border security laws,” Johnson wrote in a letter to the White House on Tuesday.
“Any national security package must start with the security of our own borders,” the speaker emphasized during a news conference on Capitol Hill.
Johnson said he told National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan that Congress must understand the “end game” and “objective” in Ukraine – as well as the oversight procedures – before offering new aid.
Speaker Mike Johnson pledged that no funding for Ukraine would pass the House of Representatives without 'transformative' border security provisions — as immigration talks in the Democratic-led Senate stall
His comments came as Senate Republicans prepared to block a vote on President Biden's $100 billion foreign aid request, which includes money for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan — but does not include border security provisions.
Border talks have reached an impasse in the Senate – and hardliners in the House of Representatives insist serious changes are needed to provide Ukraine with more help in its fight against Russia.
Johnson's letter to the White House came in response to a letter from Shalanda Young, director of the Office of Management and Budget, warning that the US could no longer provide aid to Ukraine by the end of 2023.
“There is no magic pot of funding available to finance this moment. We are out of money – and running out of time,” Young wrote. “Cutting off the flow of U.S. weapons and equipment will put pressure on Ukraine on the battlefield, not only jeopardizing the gains Ukraine has made but also increasing the likelihood of Russian military victories.”
The US has contributed more than $100 billion to Ukraine's war effort since the Russian invasion in February 2022.
Meanwhile, House leaders announced a vote next week on whether to authorize an impeachment inquiry to circumvent White House stonewalling.
“We're at this kind of inflection point,” Johnston told reporters about why he chose to move forward with an investigative vote — essentially returning the investigation to step one.
“We will be at the pinnacle of our constitutional authority,” Johnson added.
“They refuse to hand over key witnesses so they can testify because they have been subpoenaed. They refuse to transfer thousands of documents to the National Archives, and the House of Representatives has no choice.'
The investigation was declared open without a vote in September by former chairman Kevin McCarthy.
Impeachment leaders hope to bring in Hunter and James Biden for impeachment this month.
A Ukrainian soldier sits in a tank during anti-sabotage exercises, amid the Russian attack on Ukraine, in the Chernihiv region, Ukraine, December 5, 2023
Ukrainian soldiers take part in anti-sabotage exercises, amid the Russian attack on Ukraine, in the Chernihiv region, Ukraine, December 5, 2023
Early this month, Johnson told reporters that the House was nearing a decision on whether to vote on articles of impeachment — the final step in the process — and not on an investigation.
“I do believe we will make a decision on it very soon,” he said on November 2.
Republican leaders have long insisted that no vote is needed to approve the investigation — in part to avoid putting swing district members in a difficult position. Now they are reconsidering their position, as White House lawyers often insist the investigation lacks “constitutional legitimacy.”
But holding a vote would be risky given the Republican Party's three-seat majority.
Republicans criticized Nancy Pelosi for initially failing to hold a vote to approve the impeachment inquiry into former President Donald Trump. Pelosi ultimately voted in the full House to authorize the investigation.