In a recent press conference, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) reassured the public that Ukraine aid will be addressed "in short order" and emphasized his intention to combine it with funding for U.S. border security. This announcement follows Johnson's decision to separate Ukraine aid from funding for Israel, a move that raised concerns among lawmakers from both sides of the aisle.

Johnson expressed his urgency to make progress on the $14.3 billion Israel package, stating that Congress "cannot waste any time" in providing support. However, the inclusion of funding for Kyiv and Tel Aviv in the same bill has encountered resistance from some Republicans.

When asked about the handling of future Ukraine aid, Johnson made it clear that Ukraine will be addressed soon. He highlighted the potential for bipartisan agreement by pairing border security with Ukraine funding. This approach aims to garner support from both sides of the aisle for the crucial matters of national security and international assistance.

While Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) have endorsed the White House's strategy, which includes funding for Israel, Ukraine, Indo-Pacific allies, and border security, House Republicans have shown opposition to combining aid for Kyiv and Tel Aviv.

To address these concerns, Speaker Johnson notified GOP senators that aid to Israel should be considered separately. This decision reflects the challenges faced in garnering support for aid to Ukraine within the House GOP conference.

The divided support for Ukraine aid was evident in a recent vote, where more Republicans opposed sending $300 million in new aid to Kyiv than those who supported it. This highlights the waning support for Ukraine within the House GOP conference.

Additionally, the House GOP legislation includes $14.3 billion in cuts to IRS funding, which were approved as part of the Democrats' Inflation Reduction Act. These cuts have further ignited tensions between Republicans and Democrats, with Democrats expressing frustration at the potential deficit increase despite the cuts.

However, Johnson emphasized the need to tie Ukraine funding to border security, stating that America's own border must be secured first. He underscored the principle of taking care of one's own before addressing international obligations. Noting President Biden's request for $60 billion in Ukraine funding, Johnson expressed confidence in gaining bipartisan support for the idea of matching Ukraine aid with border security measures.

Overall, Speaker Johnson's commitment to addressing Ukraine aid "in short order" while pairing it with border security highlights his strategic approach to finding common ground and ensuring the nation's security and international obligations are adequately addressed. The House GOP's opposition to combining aid for Israel and Ukraine, along with the discrepancies regarding IRS funding, will continue to shape the discourse surrounding these critical matters in the coming weeks.