Top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee warns that Johnson’s complex plan for Ukraine aid will cause additional delays.
Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), the ranking member on the House Armed Services Committee, expressed doubts on Tuesday regarding a plan proposed by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to provide new aid to Ukraine, stating that the plan creates a complex process for delivering aid to Ukrainian forces.
Congress has been debating for months on proposals for additional aid to support Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia. The idea of continuing to support Ukraine with billions in aid has divided Republicans, with many opposing the notion of linking aid to Ukraine with topics more favorable to their political stance, such as providing military assistance to Israel.
In February, the Democrat-controlled U.S. Senate approved a $95 billion supplemental spending proposal that includes around $61 billion in aid for Ukraine, along with military aid for Israel, building alliances in the Indo-Pacific region, and international humanitarian projects.
The Republican-controlled House has been hesitant to advance the Senate’s $95 billion proposal. On Monday, Mr. Johnson introduced a plan to split the supplemental spending provisions into four separate bills. These bills include specific focuses on Ukraine-related aid, Israel-related aid, Indo-Pacific alliances, as well as proposals related to TikTok and Russian asset seizures for Ukraine.
Although Mr. Johnson’s proposal could move the aid measures forward, Mr. Smith raised concerns during a House hearing on Tuesday that the plan could further delay U.S. aid for Ukraine.
“We’ve already waited too long. I am deeply concerned about the convoluted process announced by the speaker yesterday to provide help to Ukraine,” Mr. Smith stated.
The top House Armed Services Democrat warned that without further U.S. aid, Russian forces could advance towards the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv soon.
“At this point, the process announced yesterday will only cause further delays,” Mr. Smith added. “The best-case scenario, if implemented, might take two months to figure out the next steps, causing more delays for Ukraine.”
Senate Bill Would Get Weapons to Ukraine ‘Within Days,’ Smith Says
Mr. Smith highlighted that passing the Senate’s bill represents the quickest way to provide new weapons to Ukraine.
“We have the option to pass the Senate’s bill, which would go directly to the President for approval, and weapons could be sent to Ukraine within days,” Mr. Smith explained.
Mr. Smith criticized the House for not presenting a proposal for new Ukraine-related aid despite having months to do so.
“We’ve had seven months and have done nothing. There is no more time to delay further torture in figuring out what the House Republican majority wants to do about Ukraine,” Mr. Smith said.
Mr. Johnson’s plan could break apart a group of Republicans strongly opposed to the spending bill for aid to Ukraine.
Joseph Lord contributed to this article.
