House Democrats this week swiftly rejected demands from Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) for tough new border security measures in return for aid to Ukraine, pushing for new military aid to the beleaguered U.S. ally. It's the latest hurdle in Congress' efforts to do so.
Johnson said Wednesday that House Republicans will not be able to move forward unless key provisions of border legislation previously passed by Republicans are included, including reintroducing the “Remain in Mexico” policy begun under former President Trump and extending the distance by hundreds of miles. He said he opposed any new aid to Kiev. A new wall is being built on the US-Mexico border.
He told conservative radio commentator Hugh Hewitt: “There's a border battle coming up and we're going to die on those hills.”
The comment sparked an immediate backlash from House Democrats. House Democrats support new border security funding but oppose tough immigration restrictions favored by Republicans. They have vowed to kill any Ukraine-related bill containing these provisions if Johnson brings it to the floor, a notable threat since the bill would need Democratic votes to pass. .
“That would be crazy. Unfortunately, it would be a disservice to Ukraine if we did that,” said Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.).
The border wall in particular has been a hotly debated issue between both parties in recent years, and Mr Johnson's proposal was quickly slammed by Democrats, who warned they would never support a Ukraine package that included nearly 900 miles. New construction included in Republican border bill.
“It's elementary for me, and I think it's for most of us,” said Rep. Juan Vargas (D-Calif.).
“I don't think that's realistic,” said Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, the ranking Democrat on the Homeland Security Committee.
Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) went a step further, accusing Republicans of offering spurious solutions to very complex problems for the sole purpose of stirring up xenophobic voters.
“That wall has always been a political symbol for the Republican Party, and it still is,” Grijalva said. “The fact that it failed, the fact that it costs money, the fact that it’s a waste of money, seems irrelevant.
“I think this is the same rhetoric that we've had for the last 10 years.”
The dispute over the appropriate response to the southern border crisis, and more specifically Prime Minister Johnson's demands, comes in the months to come for more military aid to Ukraine, which is reeling after nearly two years of invasion by Russian forces. This is creating the very latest hurdle in our efforts. and warn that supplies are dwindling.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy visited the parliament building in December to warn leaders of both parties about the crisis facing his country and the underlying urgency for additional aid. But as Senate negotiators rush to finalize a security plan for Ukraine's borders, they have been unable to reach an agreement. Even if it were to happen, it would face an even tougher path in the House. A growing number of Republicans in the House of Representatives are wary of a protracted conflict and have said they will oppose any new U.S. aid.
The issue has become a major headache for Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who supports another round of Ukraine funding, and even his calls for tough new border restrictions are unlikely to change the situation.
“There's no more funding for Ukraine. And that's where I'm completely different from the chairman and the other people in the room at this point,” said Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.). he said on Thursday. “If he wants to give $60 billion in a deal with Democrats to trade America's border security, he's not just going to give me, but other conservatives in our conference and conservatives across America. We're going to be in serious trouble.”
Under former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), House Republican leaders took a test vote on funding for Ukraine last September. A majority of Republicans opposed it. -This is a significant development, given that Republican leaders typically abide by the “Hastert Rule” and avoid bills that lack support from a majority of the conference.
The issue was one of the reasons Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) cited when he successfully ousted Mr. McCarthy, and Mr. Johnson is now trying to reduce federal spending in the name of reducing the deficit. It faces similar pressure from conservatives fighting for cuts.
Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) said in an interview with CNN on Thursday, “I don't even want to fund my own government if the administration won't secure our borders, much less protect the United States.” “We don't even want to give money to the Ukrainian government in exchange for protecting it.”
Given the conservative unrest, some Democrats are speculating that Johnson is trying to cut new Ukraine funding by tying it to immigration provisions they know Democrats will veto. This strategy would not only allow the speaker to avoid a bitter internal fight, but also give him the political advantage of blaming Democrats for the impasse.
“Republicans are treating Ukrainians like dogs and monkeys,” Vargas said. “Sad; I think it's a terrible situation, but I think that's what they're doing.”
Representative Henry Cuellar, a centrist Blue Dog Democrat who represents a border district in Texas, said President Trump has made similar promises on border security and has achieved only a fraction of the new wall he sought. He pointed out. Cuellar said he expects House Republicans to have similar success with their push for an additional 900 miles.
“I don't think that's realistic at all,” Cuellar said. “With all due respect, the people who come up with the most interesting solutions when it comes to borders are usually the ones who don't understand them.”
Mychael Schnell contributed reporting.
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