JD Vance cautions Speaker Johnson about potential issues if he prioritizes foreign aid over border security

Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) suggested that House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) needs to be careful in how he handles his leadership role going forward, as it would be “a disgrace” if he chose not to help secure the southern border.

The topic of securing the border while providing financial aid to Ukraine has been discussed greatly among House Republicans, with some being very vocal in their criticism of Johnson’s role as speaker. Vance himself argued that he believes Johnson is “a good guy,” but that he would be betraying both Republican voters and the whole country should he ignore the border and instead focus on helping Ukraine.

“Why would people elect Republicans if Republicans are more focused on the border of another country than the border of our own country?” Vance said on Fox News’s Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo. “So I hope Speaker Johnson really shows some steely resolve here, pushes back against the craziness, and tells the Biden administration, ‘You don’t get a dime for your foreign priorities until you do your job and secure the border.’”

Vance also pointed to how Congress has the power of the purse, meaning that, while it cannot force the president to take certain actions, it can withhold financial funding until the president acts on other issues. The Ohio senator argued that many Republican lawmakers are reluctant to use this power, and encouraged them to “put our foot down” to motivate President Joe Biden to secure the Southern border.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) filed a motion to vacate Johnson last month, accusing him of failing to secure the border under his leadership. She also claimed this past week that there was no difference between him and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and that he was acting like a Democratic lawmaker.

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Johnson himself has acknowledged the frustration that many House Republicans have right now. However, he argued that they needed to stand together ahead of the 2024 elections.

Vance was also asked who he would like to see replace Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) this November, who announced earlier this year that he would be stepping down at the end of this year. Vance did not specify any names as he is choosing to wait to see who runs, but he said he wanted someone who would work with the future Republican president.