Amid doubt on Ukraine-border deal, Johnson holds firm on GOP asks

Speaker Mike Johnson doesn’t plan to hold the House in session close to Christmas, despite dissatisfaction with how plans to tie together border security support and aid to Ukraine are shaping up.

“I think the American people agree with us that national security begins at our own borders,” Johnson told radio host Hugh Hewitt on Tuesday. “We have to maintain our own sovereignty, so that we can project peace through strength and help our friends. And so I don’t think that’s an outrageous request.”

There is increasing doubt that lawmakers can reach a compromise on the dual Ukraine funding and border policy issues by the end of the year.

“Here we are on the eve, virtually, of Christmas and the end of the year, and the White House, as we talk this morning, has not moved in our direction on that issue,” Johnson said. “And I’ve told them very clearly where we stand.”

Johnson said Tuesday morning that he wanted more oversight of the aid to Ukraine and a stronger policy framework and objectives for the financial backing of the fight against Russia’s Vladimir Putin. He also wants the White House and Democrats to agree to “transformational” policy changes on the southern border.

Without significant progress, Johnson said he doesn’t plan to extend the House’s session into next week.

“I don’t know what else to do. I’m not going to have everybody sit here through Christmas twiddling their thumbs.”

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he asked Johnson on Monday to consider the House staying for another week. “Last night, I got on the phone with Speaker Johnson and urged him to keep the House in session to give a supplemental a chance to come together,” Schumer said.

“You know, we’re willing to work,” Johnson said. “The House members will work. We’ve shown that over and over and over, but we’re not getting any cooperation from the White House and the Senate Democrats at all.”

Anthony Adragna contributed.