Speaker Johnson Tells Senators Ukraine Aid Is Contingent on Beefing Up Border Policies

The speaker defined the terms for passage of President Biden’s supplemental aid request, but it’s unclear that Republicans have enough clout to make it stick.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) listens before speaking at a news briefing at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Nov. 2, 2023. Alex Wong/Getty Images

The House of Representatives will not approve supplemental military aid to Ukraine unless the Senate agrees to close the open southern border of the United States, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) told a gathering of senators on Nov. 29.

The message highlights the point of contention between Republicans and Democrats over how to handle President Joe Biden’s $106 billion request for supplemental spending on aid to Israel, Ukraine, U.S. border security, and other needs.