President Biden Convenes with Newly-Elected Speaker Mike Johnson to Deliberate on Funding for Israel and Ukraine

President Joe Biden held discussions with the recently appointed House Speaker Mike Johnson and Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries at the White House this Thursday. The meeting centered on Biden’s request for an allocation of nearly $106 billion to address national security concerns, particularly in Israel and Ukraine.

Johnson, a committed conservative with close ties to former President Donald Trump, has previously expressed little enthusiasm for allocating additional Congressional funds to assist Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia. Both Johnson and Jeffries met individually with Biden before joining other lawmakers for a classified briefing on the aid package, as confirmed by a White House official.

Johnson described the meeting as constructive upon his return to the Capitol. “I found my interaction with the president to be fruitful,” he said.

Johnson, who succeeded Rep. Kevin McCarthy as Speaker just under a month ago, had a full initial day, dealing with many of the political quandaries that have troubled prior Republican leaders during their tenure.

Earlier in the day, in response to the mass shootings in Maine, Johnson commented that “prayer is the appropriate course of action at a time like this to end such malevolence and senseless violence.” Johnson, an evangelical Christian hailing from Louisiana, declined to entertain questions regarding prospective Congressional action on gun control legislation.

The House was a hub of activity, as lawmakers aimed to make up for the time lost due to the upheaval following McCarthy’s removal. Yet the warm initial reception for Johnson does little to mitigate the political challenges that threaten his leadership, especially with imminent critical issues.

Congress faces a November 17 deadline to fund the government and avert a federal shutdown. Biden’s request for military and humanitarian aid for Israel and Ukraine looms large, and Republicans are keen to reopen impeachment proceedings against Biden for his son Hunter’s business engagements.

“Enough with the chaos and dysfunction,” said Jeffries, emphasizing that it’s time for Congress to focus on its legislative duties. Jeffries also mentioned that Democrats stand in solidarity with the victims of the recent shootings in Maine and are exploring legislative ways to tackle gun violence.

The Situation Room briefing marked Johnson’s first in-depth exposure to the White House’s rationale for the emergency funding request. Previously, similar briefings had been conducted by White House officials.

After his election as Speaker, Johnson garnered immediate support from the Republican caucus, eager to move beyond weeks of internal strife and concentrate on governance. Though not the first choice among Republicans, Johnson managed to consolidate support, partly due to the endorsement from Donald Trump.

“Mike Johnson is an exceptional leader,” Trump stated on Wednesday at a New York courthouse, where he is involved in a trial concerning allegations of business fraud.

Johnson also conducted meetings with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer communicated to Johnson that bipartisan agreement is the sole path to avoid a government shutdown.

Upon securing his leadership position, Johnson immediately set about unifying the fractured Republican caucus, leveraging his conservative credentials and endorsement from Trump to rally both far-right and moderate members around him.

Concerning the aid package, it appears that House Republicans are considering separating the funding for Israel from that for Ukraine, potentially tying the latter to measures aimed at enhancing U.S. border security.

Representative Michael McCaul of Texas, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, described Johnson as a thoughtful and intelligent leader who comprehends the national security implications of aid to Ukraine, despite resistance from certain factions within the Republican majority.

To prevent a government shutdown, Johnson will have to navigate between extreme right-wing demands and the practical necessities of governance, a balancing act that led to the downfall of several previous Republican Speakers.

Contributions to this report were made by Big Big News writers Jill Colvin in New York, Darlene Superville, and Mary Clare Jalonick.

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More about Biden-Johnson Meeting on Israel and Ukraine Aid

• White House Official Statement on Biden-Johnson Meeting
• Congressional Deadline for Government Funding
• Briefing on Biden’s Aid Request for Israel and Ukraine
• Mike Johnson’s Political Stance
• Hakeem Jeffries on Congressional Dysfunction
• Recent Shootings in Maine and Congressional Response
• Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s Comments on Bipartisanship
• Donald Trump’s Endorsement of Mike Johnson
• Republicans’ Plans on Foreign Aid Package
• Profile of Speaker Mike Johnson