In an interview on Tuesday, Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell called on Speaker Mike Johnson to permit a vote on Ukraine aid, while acknowledging the internal political challenges Johnson faces. McConnell emphasized the importance of clarifying where the House stands on the issue and urged Johnson to allow the House to work its will on Ukraine aid, as well as the allocation of funds to Israel and Taiwan.

Following the Senate's passing of a $95 billion foreign aid bill, which included $60 billion for Ukraine, McConnell expressed concerns over rumors surrounding the House's support for Ukraine. He emphasized that holding a vote would be the easiest way to provide clarity on the matter, even if it resulted in the House passing a different version of the bill.

McConnell took a cautious approach, acknowledging the complexities within the GOP due to former President Donald Trump and his allies casting doubt on providing further aid to Ukraine. The Senate minority leader purposely deferred the specifics of the vote to Speaker Johnson, aware that a few conservatives have threatened to remove Johnson from the speakership if he allows a vote on Ukraine aid.

Despite facing criticism from his own party in recent weeks, McConnell expressed hope that the majority of House Democrats and Republicans would follow the Senate's lead. He refrained from advising Johnson on how to proceed, citing the importance of conferences for House-Senate negotiations and expressing his belief that the House should have the opportunity to shape its stance on Ukraine, which has been the most contentious aspect of the aid package.

McConnell's statements come at a crucial time as he works relentlessly to pass the foreign aid bill into law before the situation worsens for Ukraine. Congress has not provided new financial assistance to the allied country for over a year. While McConnell did not demand that Johnson adopt the Senate's version of the bill, it reflects his understanding of the internal political challenges faced by Johnson within the reed-thin House majority.

The fate of Ukraine aid remains uncertain as Speaker Johnson weighs his options amidst pressure from conservative members. It remains to be seen how the House will proceed on Ukraine aid and the wider foreign aid bill, as well as how McConnell's push for swift action will align with the internal dynamics of both parties.