US House Speaker Mike Johnson faces rising global criticism for dodging swift legislative action on depleted Ukraine’s urgent need for additional military assistance to resist Russian aggression, CNN reports. Despite bipartisan Senate passage last week of a $60 billion aid package as Ukraine’s munitions and defenses dwindle dangerously, the Republican House speaker has resisted calls to bring the urgent bill up for a quick vote before Congress’s recess.
The US’ aid to Ukraine has been stalled in Congress for months, benefiting Russia on the battleground as Ukraine’s stocks of artillery munitions and missiles deplete without the much-needed supplies from the US.
CNN says that privately citing a wish to avoid rushing, Johnson told fellow Republicans the Senate bill requires amendments while resisting calls for a rapid vote needing Democratic support. Such a move risks conservative rebellion from Johnson’s right flank, with some members threatening his position should he proceed. Complicating the speaker’s decision is intervention from former President Donald Trump demanding Republicans oppose further Ukraine funding altogether.
With Congress adjourned until next week, the stakes of the debate and Johnson’s role heightened, with global leaders at the Munich Security Conference, Alexei Navalny’s death, and Ukraine’s setback to Russian forces adding urgency for Congress to act as Ukraine’s military faces resource shortages.
In Munich, German Defense Minister Pistorius urged US legislators to approve the aid package for Ukraine, as billions in deals between German and American defense contractors now hang in the balance, while US lawmakers continue obstructing crucial Ukraine military aid.
As international frustration swells over Republican domestic political turbulence paralyzing crucial foreign policy decisions, pressure from world allies continues intensifying on the embattled Speaker Johnson to urgently facilitate an aid vote reinforcing combat-fatigued Ukraine’s wavering frontline.
