Biden congratulates new speaker of the House of Representatives, urges him to support aid to Ukraine

US President Joe Biden congratulated Republican Mike Johnson on his election as Speaker of the House of Representatives and urged him to facilitate the adoption of additional funding in Congress, including for Ukraine.

Source: statement by Biden published on the White House website, reports European Pravda

Details: The American president stressed that he had previously confirmed his readiness to work with any speaker of the House, regardless of the party they represent.

Biden added that during the election of a speaker by the House of Representatives, he prepared "a historic supplemental funding package that advances our bipartisan national security interests in Israel and Ukraine, secures our border, and invests in the American people. These priorities have been endorsed by leaders in both parties.

We need to move swiftly to address our national security needs and to avoid a shutdown in 22 days," Biden said, calling for approval of the package.

Amidst opposition from radical Republicans who do not want to support Kyiv with weapons, the White House asked Congress on 20 October for nearly US$105 billion to fund assistance for Ukraine, Israel, and US border security.

This budget request to Congress provides about $61.4 billion for Ukraine, of which $46.1 billion is defence spending and $11.8 billion is for direct budget support.

But the US House of Representatives could not pass new laws, including on assistance to Ukraine, without a speaker. On 25 October, they elected the Republican Trump supporter Mike Johnson, who had opposed additional support for Kyiv.

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