The White House intensified its criticism of the Republican Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, on Friday, accusing him of aiding Iran and Russia by obstructing a vote on a national security bill aimed at providing aid to Ukraine.
According to six sources who spoke to Reuters this week, Iran has supplied Russia with a large number of powerful ground-to-ground ballistic missiles, enhancing military cooperation between the two countries, which are under U.S. sanctions.
Andrew Bates, Deputy White House Press Secretary and Senior Communications Advisor, stated in a memo that Iran is “working hard to boost Russia’s capabilities in its war on Ukraine and its attacks on Ukrainian cities.”
The memo highlighted President Biden’s stance against Iran, questioning Speaker Johnson’s expected commitment to not appease Tehran. Bates accused Johnson’s inaction of benefiting Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
The Senate approved a $95 billion aid bill for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan last week with a significant majority, including 22 Republicans who joined the Democrats in support. However, Johnson put the House on a two-week recess without scheduling a vote, stating, “The Senate won’t force us to act.”
Many in the Senate and the White House believe the bill would pass the House with bipartisan support if Johnson allowed a vote.
Johnson argues that any international military and humanitarian aid package should also address security on the U.S.-Mexico border, following Republican opposition to a comprehensive U.S. immigration policy reform bill.
A spokesperson for Johnson countered the White House’s accusations, pointing to the administration’s actions that have allegedly supported Iran and Russia, such as delisting Iranian proxies from terrorist organizations and reducing sanctions on Iranian oil exports.
The White House memo warned that Putin’s success in Ukraine could lead to attacks on NATO member states, which the U.S. is committed to defending. It cautioned that House Republicans’ facilitation of Ukraine’s defeat could result in much higher costs for America than the bipartisan funding needed to enhance Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
Former President Donald Trump, a likely Republican nominee for the next presidential election and a long-time NATO critic, has recently threatened to abandon some European allies if Russia attacks them.
