Mike Johnson has reportedly unveiled a plan to pass the legislation after months of impasse
US House speaker to put Ukraine aid bill to a vote – media
US House Speaker Mike Johnson during an event in Washington, DC on April 11, 2024. © Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
US House Speaker Mike Johnson has promised to advance the long-stalled Ukraine aid bill sought by President Joe Biden this week, multiple news outlets reported on Monday.
The proposed legislation has been stuck in Congress for months due to a bitter dispute between Democrats and Republicans.
According to reports, Johnson told Republican colleagues at a closed-door meeting that he intends to allow the House to vote on a standalone bill this week that would ensure additional military aid to Kiev. The House will also be expected to vote on separate bills providing more aid to Israel and Taiwan.
“We know that the world is watching us to see how we react,” Johnson told reporters after a meeting with GOP legislators, as quoted by the New York Times. He added that the leaders of Russia, China and Iran are “watching to see if America will stand up for its allies and our interests around the globe – and we will.”
House Republicans have previously refused to back the foreign aid bill unveiled by Biden in October, which includes $61 billion in assistance for Ukraine.