Biden reacts to Johnson's statement on aid to Ukraine
US President Joe Biden's administration calls on House Speaker Mike Johnson to put the Senate-approved Ukraine aid bill to a vote rather than write a new one.
This was stated at a briefing on Monday, April 1, by White House Press Secretary Karin Jean-Pierre.
"We have been very clear. We believe that the speaker should introduce a bill with additional funding for national security needs, which obviously includes support for Ukraine, humanitarian assistance, support for Israel and the Indo-Pacific region," Jean-Pierre said.
She clarified that she was referring to the document supported by 70 senators in February, which provides more than $60 billion for Ukraine.
The White House spokeswoman reiterated her confidence that if the bill is put to a vote, the majority of representatives of both parties will support it.
Asked to comment on whether the US President is ready to sign the Republican version of the bill, which Speaker Johnson mentioned if it is passed by both houses of Congress, Jean-Pierre said she would not make hypothetical assessments.
As reported, the day before, Johnson confirmed that after the Easter recess, he plans to introduce a bill on additional assistance to Ukraine, which will include "some important innovations." Johnson cited the possibility of extending a loan to Ukraine as an example, which would reassure many Republicans, and also mentioned the REPO law (the law on the confiscation of frozen Russian assets - ed.).
Author - Serhii Kolomiets, 02/04/2024
