In a powerful display of unity, a group of congressional Democrats, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, joined forces with armed services veterans to call on current Republican Speaker Mike Johnson to "lead, follow, or get out of the way" in providing increased military support to Ukraine in its ongoing war against Russian invaders. The Democrats urged Speaker Johnson to prioritize the bipartisan Senate foreign aid package, which includes $95 billion in assistance for Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel.

During a press conference held on Capitol Hill, Mikie Sherrill, a House Democrat from New Jersey and a former navy helicopter pilot, emphasized the urgent need for action and drew on her military experience, stating, "'Lead, follow, or get out of the way.' That is exactly what our speaker has to do." However, Speaker Johnson, under the influence of Donald Trump, has shown no indication of bringing the Senate package up for a vote, reflecting Trump's pro-Russia stance and support for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Democrats' call for action faced opposition from protesters affiliated with Code Pink: Women for Peace, who voiced their objections specifically to funding for Israel's conflict with Hamas. Nevertheless, House Republicans have proven even more obstructive than the dissenting protesters. Despite the Democrats' efforts, including lodging discharge petitions to bypass Speaker Johnson, it remains unlikely that their endeavors to secure aid for Ukraine will succeed. Currently, the discharge petition falls approximately 50 votes short of success.

Sherrill reiterated the need for leadership from Speaker Johnson, urging him to bring the aid bill to the floor for a vote. She noted that the Democrats have already initiated a discharge petition and urged Speaker Johnson to rally his members to support Ukraine. Highlighting public support for assisting Ukraine, she emphasized, "He can follow the Democrats: we have put our discharge petition on the board, get his members to sign this petition and again, support Ukraine. Or he could just get out of the way because we know that the American people are behind the Ukrainians."

The press conference benefited from the participation of several veterans who also spoke to reporters, including individuals who served in the army, navy, and air force during deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut further emphasized the importance of providing aid to Ukraine.

The event, staged in collaboration with Vote Vets and introduced by Alexander Vindman, a former US soldier of Ukrainian heritage and whistleblower during Trump's impeachment, showcased the broad support for Ukraine within the veteran community. Rick Harris, the father of the late Thomas Gray Harris, a former US marine killed in Ukraine, also expressed his support for immediate action, stating, "If he were here today, though he would use much more colorful language than me, he would tell the speaker to call the vote now."

Notably, the Republican leader in the Senate, Mitch McConnell, urged Speaker Johnson to allow the House to voice its opinion on the Senate bill. Despite Republican proposals to offer aid to Ukraine as a loan instead of a grant, McConnell stressed the importance of swift action, highlighting the broad support in the Senate for the aid package.

On a positive note, the White House announced on Tuesday that the US would provide Ukraine with $300 million in aid. However, this move is deemed insufficient to meet Ukraine's ongoing needs and prevent ammunition shortages. In a bid to address the situation further, US officials have explored options for seizing $285 billion in Russian assets in 2022 and utilizing the funds to procure weapons for Ukraine.

With tensions mounting and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy warning of an imminent Russian offensive, time is of the essence in providing much-needed support to Ukraine. The Democrats' call for action on military assistance is driven by the recognition that every passing day signifies more lives lost among Ukrainian soldiers who valiantly defend their country. The collective efforts of congressional Democrats, armed services veterans, and supportive organizations like Vote Vets exemplify a resolute commitment to promoting democracy and defending Ukraine against foreign aggression.