Speaker Mike Johnson’s political squeeze at home over aid to Ukraine is facing a renewed pile-on from across the pond.
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron called on his European counterparts to ramp up pressure on Johnson (R-La.) over Ukraine aid as the House of Representatives is poised to reconvene next week.
“Crucially, we need to get on the phone, or in my case go in person to see Speaker Johnson in the House of Representatives to get that supplemental through,” Cameron told reporters Thursday, per Politico.
“Congress does listen to what others say and what America is capable of doing. I think the thing that could most change the narrative about Ukraine [would be the] $60 billion flowing from US to Ukraine,” he continued.
His remarks alluded to the recent setbacks Ukraine has suffered on the battlefield and heightened concerns that Kyiv won’t be able to withstand a renewed Russian offensive, which is expected over the coming weeks.
Cameron, who served as the British prime minister from 2010 to 2016 when he stepped down due to Brexit, concluded a two-day meeting of NATO foreign ministers as the powerful alliance marks its 75th anniversary.
Both Johnson and Cameron met face-to-face last December.
Johnson has faced similar international pressure before. Back in February, some 23 parliament heads in Europe urged Johnson to take up a package re-upping aid to Ukraine. He didn’t budge then as he navigated a spending fight.
Johnson wanted to finish off the appropriations process before addressing the thorny issue with his conference. Now that appropriations are finished, the speaker has teased plans to tackle aid to Ukraine shortly after the lower chamber gavels back into session next week.
Over the weekend, he laid out three potential avenues, including a loan to Ukraine, seizing and liquidating frozen Russian assets, and leveraging the Biden administration to lift a pause on approvals for new liquid natural gas export terminals in exchange for approving the aid.
Already, the speaker is staring down threats from members such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) to oust him via a motion to vacate the chair.
Greene introduced that motion last month before Congress broke for Easter recess. However, it wasn’t privileged, and therefore, did not mandate a vote.
Additionally, Johnson is seeking to vote on reauthorizing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which gives the government power to collect certain types of foreign intelligence information.
FISA has proven to be sharply divisive among House Republicans.
Meanwhile, President Biden has been very careful about saying anything publicly that could jeopardize Johnson as the speaker embarks on a delicate dance with his conference. The president’s hands are also full dealing with the turmoil in Israel.
Biden has pressed Congress to replenish aid to the war-torn ally since at least last August.
Some Democrats also hope to entice Johnson into including aid related to other foreign hotspots in a Ukraine package.
Others have publicly suggested they would throw Johnson a political lifeline and bail him out of any GOP mutiny attempt. Johnson’s predecessor, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was ousted in October.
In February, the Senate passed a $95 billion supplemental package that featured roughly $60 billion for Ukraine. The speaker has signaled that the House’s measure will likely be structured differently.
Johnson spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky late last month. The Post contacted his office for comment.