House Leaves Ukraine Hanging! Shocking Details Revealed

WASHINGTON — Following a vote to avert a government shutdown on Friday, the House departed for its two-week Easter recess without approving crucial military aid for Ukraine, which is facing a severe shortage of ammunition in its struggle against the Russian invasion.

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., stated his intention to first secure government funding before addressing foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. 

Despite calls from other leaders to bring the $95 billion Senate-approved aid package for Ukraine to the House floor, Johnson has opted to draft his own package. 

This delay means that the House will not address funding for Kyiv until at least mid-April. Johnson has provided little insight into the specifics of his aid package for Ukraine but maintains that it is a priority.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has emphasized that his country cannot afford further delays in aid. He has warned that without additional support from the U.S., Ukraine could lose its ongoing war against Russia. 

On Friday, U.S. officials condemned Russia's extensive overnight attack on Ukrainian cities and civilian targets, described as the "largest series of air strikes Russia has launched against Ukraine’s energy grid since the start of this war."

The debate over providing additional aid to Ukraine has divided the government in Washington for months. 

President Joe Biden, along with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., have pressured Johnson to promptly consider the Senate bill, which includes $60 billion for Ukraine.

Johnson, who has been in office for five months, has approached the issue cautiously. Former President Donald Trump, the likely GOP presidential nominee in the upcoming election, has criticized the Senate package. Far-right Trump ally Rep. 

Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., had threatened to force a vote to remove Johnson, warning that linking Ukraine funding and border security was her "red line." On Friday, Greene filed a motion to vacate over her opposition to the government spending package, giving her the option to quickly force a vote next month if she disagrees with Johnson's approach on Ukraine.

Other House conservatives have demanded that Congress secure the southern border before providing further aid to Ukraine, while rejecting a bipartisan Senate deal that included provisions to enhance border security.

Amidst these challenges, U.S. officials have warned that Ukraine's military could face critical supply and ammunition shortages by late March. Johnson has not specified whether the aid for Ukraine would be a standalone bill or if it would include border security provisions demanded by some members of his party.

Despite the urgent situation, Johnson has instructed working groups to use the recess to explore various options for a foreign aid package, including ideas such as treating nonmilitary aid to Ukraine as a loan and seizing assets of Russian oligarchs to fund the Ukrainian war effort.

While some top Democrats have indicated willingness to consider Republican proposals, they maintain that the best course of action is for the House to pass the Senate bill. 

McConnell has reiterated his calls for Johnson to put the Senate bill on the floor, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.

In response to the House's inaction, House Democrats are circulating a discharge petition to force a vote on the Senate-passed bill, bypassing Johnson and GOP leaders. 

Another bipartisan petition is also being circulated by Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., and Jared Golden, D-Maine, which would fund Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan while incorporating some border enforcement provisions.