Johnson opposes borderless Ukraine bill before Senate approval: House to exercise its own discretion

House ‌Speaker Mike Johnson Criticizes Senate for Neglecting Border Security

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) strongly rebuked the⁤ Senate on Monday for disregarding ⁤border security ​while preparing to pass ⁣a $95 billion defense bill that would fund⁣ the war in Ukraine.

Since assuming the‍ speakership in ⁣October, ‌Johnson has expressed ‌support ‍for ‍Ukraine. However, he made it clear that the assistance ⁤would not‍ be approved in⁢ the Republican-led House unless significant changes were made to border⁤ policies. Despite negotiating‍ a compromise ⁣with the White House,⁤ the Senate abandoned the measure last week‍ after it was deemed insufficiently conservative‌ by ⁣Republicans.

Following‌ this, Senate leadership swiftly moved to approve the ⁣assistance without any border provisions. However, just​ hours before its passage in the upper chamber, ⁤the‍ speaker effectively killed any hope of ​the House taking up⁢ the bill‍ on ⁤Monday.

Johnson’s Statement

“The mandate of ⁢national security supplemental legislation‍ was to secure America’s own border before sending additional foreign aid around the world. It is what the American people demand and deserve,” Johnson stated. “Now, in the absence of having received any single ⁣border policy change from⁣ the Senate, the House‍ will have to continue to work its own will ⁤on these important matters.”

This posturing ⁣from Johnson does not completely rule out the possibility of​ further‌ Ukraine aid reaching President Joe Biden’s desk.​ However, it does create ​significant⁤ uncertainty for the road ahead.

Johnson has already⁤ demanded that the president ‍articulate an exit ⁣strategy ⁢for the war​ in Ukraine, which ​is entering its ⁢third year. It is likely that⁣ the ‌defense bill will need to be scaled down in ⁢order ‍to ⁢pass through ⁢the House.

The Senate has removed billions of dollars in direct ⁢assistance to the government of Ukraine. However, other areas of funding, such⁣ as humanitarian assistance ⁤for Gaza, will⁢ undoubtedly face ​scrutiny‌ from Republicans.

It remains unclear whether⁣ the speaker will​ continue to ⁣insist on breaking up the bill, which also provides assistance to⁣ Israel and Taiwan, into separate pieces.

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The White House has⁢ shown some flexibility on ‍the border component itself, agreeing to ‍new restrictions on asylum ⁢and parole in the Senate deal. However, conservatives have criticized these measures as a mere “fig leaf” ⁣for the ⁢border⁣ crisis. The fate of the aid will depend on ​Biden’s ⁢willingness to⁣ engage in further​ negotiations.

Although the president has already rejected Johnson’s negotiating position on ⁤the ‌border, the speaker has indicated some flexibility to his counterparts in congressional leadership.

⁣What is Speaker Johnson’s stance on prioritizing defense funding for Ukraine over border security?

Ng up ‍the bill by criticizing the Senate’s neglect of border security.

In a statement released ⁤on Monday,⁢ Speaker ⁢Johnson emphasized the importance of securing the country’s borders ​and ​highlighted the Senate’s⁣ failure to address this crucial issue. He argued that prioritizing defense funding for Ukraine⁢ while neglecting border security is a misguided approach that puts American citizens at risk.

Johnson pointed out that border security is not a partisan issue, but‍ rather ⁢a matter of national security. He called on both Democrats and Republicans to come​ together and prioritize the⁣ safety and well-being of the American ⁣people.

The House Speaker also expressed disappointment in the Senate’s decision to​ abandon the compromise that had been reached with the White House. He stressed the need for comprehensive border policies that effectively address illegal⁢ immigration⁢ and protect the integrity of ⁢the nation’s borders.

Johnson’s criticism of the Senate came amidst ongoing ​debates‌ over immigration and border security in Congress. With the surge‍ of migrants ‌at the southern border and the growing concerns about human trafficking and drug smuggling, the issue of border security has become increasingly ‌contentious.

Many Republicans, including Speaker Johnson, have been pushing for stronger border ⁢enforcement measures, including enhanced physical barriers ‌and stricter immigration policies. They argue that these measures are necessary to prevent illegal entry into the country⁣ and protect national security.

Democrats, on the​ other hand, have advocated for comprehensive immigration reform ‌that ⁤includes a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and a more humanitarian approach to border security. They ⁣argue that focusing solely ⁣on enforcement​ measures undermines American values and ‍fails‌ to address the root⁢ causes ​of migration.

The divide between the House and the Senate on‌ this issue reflects the broader political polarization in the country and ​highlights the challenges of finding common ‍ground on immigration and border⁢ security.

As the debate continues, Speaker Johnson’s criticism of the Senate serves as a reminder of the urgent need to address ​border security and find a bipartisan solution that effectively balances national security concerns with humanitarian⁤ values.

In conclusion, House Speaker Mike ​Johnson’s rebuke of the Senate for neglecting border security adds fuel to the ongoing debates over immigration and highlights the challenges ​of finding common‌ ground on this issue. With the country’s ​borders facing significant challenges, it is crucial for lawmakers to come together and prioritize the safety and well-being of the American people.