Speaker Johnson's Continued Efforts for Ukraine Aid in Congress

During a closed-door retreat on Wednesday, Speaker Mike Johnson assured Republican senators that he was dedicated to advancing Ukraine aid in the House of Representatives. This gave GOP senators hope that assistance for the troubled country still has a chance in Congress.

According to Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, Johnson emphasized the significance and pressing need for the aid and expressed his commitment to finding a way to move forward.

Johnson's message to senators suggested that the aid package he is considering will differ from the $95 billion package passed by the Senate. Republicans are exploring the possibility of implementing a loan program instead of directly providing equipment to Ukraine. This program would operate similarly to a lend-lease program.

According to CNN, Johnson has been collaborating with House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul to develop a Ukraine aid package. This package may incorporate elements from McCaul's REPO Act, which involves seizing Russian assets and transferring them to Ukraine. Additionally, there may be a plan to include some of the aid in a loan program, an idea initially proposed by former President Donald Trump.

McCaul and Johnson's main aim was to have the bill ready for the floor by late March or early April. McCaul mentioned that Johnson plans to introduce a House foreign aid bill once the appropriations process is completed. There is a looming deadline of March 22 for the federal government to prevent a partial shutdown.

McCaul expressed his confidence in Johnson's intention to present the bill on the floor during an interview with CNN on Thursday.

McCaul expressed concerns about sending aid to Ukraine through a discharge petition. Instead, he emphasized the REPO Act and proposed providing aid in the form of a loan.

He mentioned having conversations with Republican Senator Lindsey Graham about implementing a loan program for direct government assistance. McCaul believes this idea would be well-received by the public.

Johnson reiterated his remarks to senators during the GOP retreat in West Virginia on Wednesday. He mentioned that the House's aid package may differ from the Senate's supplemental plan, and the House GOP is currently exploring different options.

Following Johnson's presentation, some key Republican senators expressed willingness to provide aid to Ukraine through a loan instead of direct assistance. They stressed the importance of responding promptly to Ukraine's urgent request for additional aid.

Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, expressed his support for assisting allies and acting in the national interest, including the interest of American taxpayers.

Republican Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa emphasized the need to take action in the House to avoid a partial government shutdown at the end of next week. She acknowledged the importance of balancing appropriations bills while urging for quicker progress.

Republican senators also highlighted the pressing need for additional aid to Ukraine. They expressed concerns that a loan program passing through both chambers could lead to delays in funding.

Senator Thom Tillis from North Carolina, a member of Senate GOP leadership, emphasized the importance of getting the supplemental aid approved swiftly. He stressed that Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan all deserve our support. Additionally, he underscored the necessity of strengthening our industrial base to ensure the resupply and equipping of our military, especially in light of the vulnerabilities exposed since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has expressed his desire for the House to promptly consider the Senate package without delay. He emphasized the urgency of providing assistance to Ukraine and Israel by passing the Senate bill swiftly. McConnell highlighted the potential delays in the Senate if any changes are made to the bill, stressing the need for timely action.

McConnell emphasized the importance of a bill that received 70 votes in the Senate, urging members of the House of Representatives to have the chance to vote on it as a solution.

Democrats are hesitant about approving a House version of aid, expressing concerns that certain proposed ideas could potentially complicate the much-needed aid at this time.

Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut expressed his frustration with Speaker Johnson's seemingly day-to-day strategy, making it difficult to anticipate the next steps. He emphasized that Speaker Johnson already has a bill that has passed the Senate, has the president's support, and has enough votes in the House. Murphy urged for a vote on this bill without delay.

Republican Rep. French Hill of Arkansas acknowledged the urgency of the situation in Ukraine, having witnessed the devastation firsthand during his visits to the region. Despite this, Hill emphasized the importance of Speaker Johnson, a relatively new leader, in determining the best course of action moving forward.

"I believe Speaker Johnson deserves the opportunity to lead as a new speaker, even though he has inherited a challenging situation. He should be allowed to implement his preferred approach," he shared with reporters. "I think this is a fair decision, and I am confident that we have the necessary time and resources to support him."

This story has been updated with new developments.

CNN’s Morgan Rimmer contributed to this report.

Editor's P/S:

The article sheds light on the ongoing efforts to secure aid for Ukraine in the US Congress. While there is bipartisan support for assisting the war-torn nation, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives has yet to pass a bill. Speaker Mike Johnson's recent assurance to GOP senators that he is committed to advancing aid has given hope that assistance will eventually be approved.

However, there are differences between the Senate-passed $95 billion package and the aid package that Johnson is considering. Republicans in the House are exploring the possibility of implementing a loan program instead of directly providing equipment to Ukraine. This program would operate similarly to a lend-lease program. The House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul is collaborating with Johnson to develop the package, and it may incorporate elements from McCaul's REPO Act, which involves seizing Russian assets and transferring them to Ukraine. Some Republican senators have expressed willingness to provide aid through a loan instead of direct assistance, but Democrats have concerns about certain proposed ideas. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has urged the House to promptly consider the Senate package without delay, emphasizing the urgency of providing assistance to Ukraine.