The White House escalated its criticisms of Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson on Friday, accusing him of assisting Iran and Russia by obstructing the vote on a national security bill aimed at sending aid to Ukraine. Six sources told Reuters this week that Iran has provided Russia with a significant number of powerful ground-to-ground ballistic missiles, enhancing military cooperation between the two countries, both of which are under U.S. sanctions.
Andrew Bates, the Deputy White House Press Secretary, stated in a memo reviewed by Reuters and scheduled for release on Friday that Iran "is working hard to increase Russia's capabilities in its war against Ukraine and attacks on Ukrainian cities." The memo read, "President Biden stands up to Iran. But where is the expected commitment from House Speaker Johnson to not 'appease Iran' in all of this? It has not materialized. Instead, his inaction benefits Putin and the Ayatollah."
Senior officials from the Biden administration spent last weekend in Europe trying to ease concerns about the potential halt of U.S. military aid to Ukraine, assuring their counterparts in Paris, Berlin, and Kyiv, as the war enters its third year, that Washington will find a way to navigate the situation.
Last week, the Senate overwhelmingly approved a $95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan with a vote of 70 to 30, including 22 Republicans who joined the Democrats, many of whom supported the bill. Johnson has granted the House a two-week recess without putting the measure up for a vote, stating, "We will not be forced to act by the Senate." Johnson argues that any package of international military and humanitarian assistance must also include measures to address security at the U.S.-Mexico border, after Republicans halted a version of a bill that included the largest and most comprehensive reforms to U.S. immigration policy in decades.
