Republican bloc in the US blocks national security funding for Ukraine and Israel

Republican Representative and Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, announced his intention not to include a bill providing additional national security funding, including assistance to Ukraine and Israel, according to social media reports.

Johnson expressed his dissatisfaction with the bill, which, in his opinion, does not address the border crisis and has been criticized by Democrats. According to him, even if the bill reaches the House of Representatives, it will be "dead."

Johnson also denies that former President Donald Trump interfered with the deal to protect the border from migrants. He pointed out that he and other Republican representatives make decisions in the House of Representatives without waiting for instructions from Trump.

It is noted that the Speaker of the House of Representatives emphasized his belief in the need for strict border control and emphasized national security issues rather than financial assistance to Ukraine.

The US Senate has introduced a compromise version of the national security funding deal, which combines border security measures and assistance to Ukraine and Israel. The total amount is $118.28 billion, of which more than half is earmarked for Ukraine and Israel. The Senate vote is scheduled for February 7.

President Joe Biden's administration responded to the Speaker's refusal to vote for the financial aid and described it as a cynical maneuver. The White House emphasized political games and the Republicans' refusal to take into account national security interests.