White House Criticism of Speaker of the House; Don't Aid the Islamic Republic and Russia

On Friday, the White House criticized Mike Johnson, the Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives, accusing him of undermining national security legislation to aid Ukraine, thereby benefiting the Islamic Republic and Russia. According to Reuters, Andrew Bates, a White House spokesperson, stated in a memo: "The Islamic Republic is actively participating in Russia's war in Ukraine and facilitating its attacks on Ukrainian cities." The spokesperson added: "Joe Biden has taken a firm stance against the Islamic Republic; however, there is no evidence of Johnson's commitment to avoid appeasement towards the Islamic Republic in this situation, and instead, his inaction benefits Putin and the Ayatollah." A few days earlier, Reuters reported, citing informed sources, that the Islamic Republic had sent a large number of ground-to-ground ballistic missiles to Russia, an action that expands military cooperation between the two countries under U.S. sanctions. Previously, the U.S. Senate advanced a $95 billion foreign aid bill for final voting with 67 votes in favor and 32 against, which further advanced the $60 billion aid package for Ukraine and the $14 billion aid for Israel towards approval in the House of Representatives. In response, Mike Johnson decided to send House members on a two-week recess without voting on this bill, emphasizing that they are not obligated to act according to the Senate's schedule. Many senators and White House officials believe that if Mike Johnson allows a vote in the House, this bill could pass with bipartisan support. Joe Biden, the President of the United States, had requested Congress several months ago to expedite new aid to Ukraine and U.S. partners in the Pacific, including Taiwan. Following the October 7 attack by Hamas militants on Israel, he called for aid to Israel and humanitarian assistance for Palestinians in Gaza. The House of Representatives rejected the Republicans' proposal to approve the independent aid plan for Israel. The bipartisan border security plan, aid to Ukraine, and Israel are at an impasse; House Republicans are opposed. The U.S. Senate unveiled the bipartisan border security plan, aid to Ukraine, and Israel. Ukraine may have to wait; House Republicans prepared a military aid plan for Israel. Biden welcomed the bipartisan agreement in the Senate on border security; the House of Representatives is opposed. U.S. aid to Ukraine is at a congressional impasse; Joe Biden invited lawmakers to the White House.