Washington- Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said an exchange Meeting at the White House President Biden’s agreement to approve more aid to Ukraine was “one of the most intense scenes” he has ever witnessed in the Oval Office, with President Mike Johnson facing criticism bipartisan pressure to pass a new round of military assistance.
The White House urged Congress to pass a supplemental funding bill that would provide tens of billions of dollars in aid to U.S. allies and partners, including about $60 billion for Ukraine, 14.1 billion dollars for Israel and approximately $9.2 billion for humanitarian aid to Gaza. The Senate adopted the law earlier this month on a bipartisan basis, but Johnson has so far blocked its path through the House.
Schumer, the President, Vice President, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries made clear how “vital” the aid was to help Ukraine in its war against Russia, Schumer said after the meeting. He added that the issue is “so important” and that the group of leaders have asked Johnson to “do it.”
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“We would, in all likelihood, lose the war” if Ukraine did not receive more munitions and supplies soon, Schumer said. “At best, NATO would be fractured. Allies would turn away from the United States.”
The New York Democrat’s comments came days after he returned from a bipartisan delegation to Ukraine. Schumer explained how he was “so shaken” by what he saw and “empowered” by the strength of President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Ukrainian people.
“The intensity in that room surprised me,” Schumer said of the White House meeting, which also included discussions about the government’s next funding deadline. He explained how leaders made it clear that history was watching them and urged Johnson to “do the right thing” for Ukraine.
Schumer said Johnson “tried to respond” and made clear he wanted to address the issue of U.S. border security. For months, House Republicans have been calling for enhanced border security to accompany any additional foreign aid to Ukraine. But so do GOP lawmakers widely rejected a bipartisan agreement negotiated by the Senate on border security earlier this month.
“We wanted to create a border and have a strict, secure plan for the borders, as we have shown, we Democrats have shown in the Senate,” Schumer said. “He can’t say he won’t deal with Ukraine until we have a border. He tried to create a border for six months and failed to get a single Democratic vote .”
For his part, Johnson said he made it clear during the meeting that the House was exploring all possibilities for additional funding.
“I have been very clear with the Speaker and everyone in the room that the House is actively considering and considering all of the different options regarding (the supplemental bill), and we will respond to them in a timely manner,” did he declare. “But again, the country’s first priority is our border and its security.”
