Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) expressed his confidence that the House will vote on Ukraine aid after the Easter recess. He mentioned private discussions with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) as the basis for his confidence.
Johnson has rejected requests to hold a vote on a Ukraine aid bill, despite bipartisan urging to provide military support for the country facing a Russian invasion. pressure to fund military support for the country against a Russian invasion.
During a CNN “State of the Union” interview with Dana Bash on Sunday, Lawler stated his belief that there will be a vote on the Ukraine aid after the Easter recess. He emphasized the importance of supporting allies and upholding and defending democracies worldwide.
Lawler is one of the sponsors of the bipartisan Defending Borders Defending Democracies Act, a measure that would allocate funds for Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel, as well as approve funding for certain border security measures. Although the proposal has gained some support from both parties, it does not have the backing of either party's leadership in the House.
The congressman is confident that Johnson will proceed with a vote on his bipartisan bill, or an amended version of it, in the near future.
“I have spoken to him directly,” Lawler said of Johnson. “I’m not going to delve into the details of that conversation, but I am confident that he is going to bring a bill to the floor and that we will have a vote.”
Johnson has emphasized his support for Ukraine aid in principle, but has refused to bring aid bills to the floor. The conflict underscores GOP divisions over Ukraine aid, as conservative factions of the party threaten to oust him over a potential vote.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) filed a motion to vacate Johnson from his Speakership just before the recess, adding that she will make the motion privileged and force a vote if Ukraine aid is introduced.
Meanwhile, numerous Democrats have stated they would oppose a motion to vacate, backing Johnson, if he moves forward on Ukraine aid.
Lawler mentioned that he is not worried about efforts to remove Johnson from his position.
“He understands the responsibility that we have. Look, China, Russia, and Iran are not our friends. They’re not our allies. They are seeking to undermine and destabilize the free world and undermine the United States economically at every turn,” he said. “And so we need to push back. We need to support our allies. And if Ukraine were to fall and Russia successful in this endeavor, that would have a catastrophic impact on Eastern Europe.”
