House Speaker Mike Johnson in talks with White House to push forward Ukraine aid | KTAB

House Speaker Mike Johnson is in negotiations with the White House to secure funding for Ukraine and Israel amidst growing tensions and political divisions within the Republican party. Majority Leader Steve Scalise revealed that Johnson is working on a package that deviates from the Senate’s $95 billion foreign security package and includes Republican demands.

The delay in advancing aid for Ukraine has put Johnson in a difficult position, as he tries to navigate the conflicting views within his party and the pressure from President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Trump, who is a key figure in the Republican party, has been consulted by Johnson in recent weeks to gain his support for the funding package.

However, Johnson is facing opposition from hardline House conservatives, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has threatened to oust him as speaker if he advances funding for Ukraine. Despite the challenges, Johnson is pushing for policy changes in the funding package, including structuring some of the aid for Kyiv as loans and lifting a pause on approvals for Liquefied Natural Gas exports.

With a narrow and divided majority in the House, Johnson has been forced to work with Democrats to advance major legislation. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has indicated that the only path forward is a vote on the Senate’s national security package, but Democrats may also be divided on sending offensive weaponry to Israel amidst the conflict in Gaza.

The Biden administration has issued warnings to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the protection of civilians and aid workers, linking future U.S. support to these measures. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has urged the House to pass the Senate’s aid package to prevent giving Russian President Vladimir Putin a victory in Europe.