Speaker Mike Johnson indicated that the House is poised to take action in the upcoming weeks to secure additional funding for Ukraine, noting it would include ‘important innovations.’
Both the House and Senate are currently in the second week of a two-week recess, during which lawmakers are engaged in activities in their home districts. The House is scheduled to reconvene on Tuesday, April 9.
Johnson stated that he has been actively “working to build consensus” on a supplemental national security and foreign aid package, though he indicated that this package would be distinct from previous attempts. He further noted that the House would take action on it immediately following the district work period.
Regarding changes to Ukraine aid, Johnson emphasized three specific details. He mentioned the REPO Act, introduced in the House last year by Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul and Rep. Marcy Kaptur. This act aims to liquidate seized Russian assets and allocate the proceeds as assistance to Ukraine.
Speaker Johnson also highlighted President Trump's recent suggestion of providing aid to Ukraine in the form of a loan. However, he did not specify the terms, except for mentioning that Kyiv would repay Washington if they emerge victorious in the conflict against Russia.
Johnson described the third proposal as the desire to unleash American energy in the form of natural gas exports ‘that will help unfund Vladimir Putin’s war effort there.’
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene who filed a motion to oust Johnson in late March over the passage of a bipartisan $1.2 trillion government funding deal, criticized him on Monday for his stance. “If Speaker Johnson gives another $60 billion to the defense of Ukraine’s border after he FULLY FUNDED Biden’s deadly open border, the cruel joke would be on the American people. And it won’t be April Fools,” she wrote on the platform X.
Johnson explained that he and Greene had been texting and planned to speak next week.
