Adam Kinzinger Says Mike Johnson Lacks ‘Political Acumen’ To Pass Ukraine Aid Bill

On Feb 27, 2024

Former Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger (Ill.) on Monday stated House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) “doesn’t have the political acumen” to go a invoice permitting the switch of extra U.S. help to Ukraine to the House ground amid resistance from the proper wing of his celebration.

The $95 billion invoice in query, which has already cleared the Senate, would additionally present weapons to Israel and Taiwan and humanitarian help to Gaza.

Kinzinger informed CNN’s “The Source” he’s privately heard that Johnson “in his heart” would name for a vote on the laws if he felt he was ready to take action virtually instantly. Johnson, nevertheless, seems involved that pushing the laws ahead would threaten his speakership.

“The problem is he doesn’t have the political acumen apparently to be able to just put it on the floor and say ‘you know what, Freedom Caucus? You guys want to try to vacate the chair? Fine, do it,’” Kinzinger stated. “And then he can cut a deal with the Democrats to save him if necessary.”

Kinzinger added that different GOP House members ought to do extra to encourage Johnson to behave.

“He has to be emboldened by the rank and file Republicans to push against the Freedom Caucus,” Kinzinger added.

Notably, previous to changing into speaker, Johnson by no means voted in favor of Ukraine help and didn’t be a part of his colleagues on any congressional delegations to the war-torn nation, based on sources cited by CNN.

But Johnson appears to have barely shifted his stance on the problem after becoming a member of GOP management, not less than behind closed doorways.

Zelenskyy informed CNN he has held a personal assembly with Johnson through which the Louisiana Republican stated he would do every little thing to help Kyiv. But the Ukrainian chief stated there’s not rather more left for him to do to clarify how necessary U.S. help is for his nation in the meanwhile.

“What can I do? I can’t push the speaker,” Zelenskyy stated Sunday, a day after the two-year anniversary of the conflict. “This is his decision. But I think he understands all the challenges, what we have.”

Asked if he trusts Johnson, Zelenskyy replied: “I have to trust. But we will see.”

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The White House has additionally been upping the stress on Johnson, with National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan telling CNN’s “State of the Union” that Russian President Vladimir Putin “gains every day that Ukraine does not get the resources it needs.”

Sullivan added, “There is a strong bipartisan majority in the House standing ready to pass this bill if it comes to the floor. And that decision rests on the shoulders of one person. And history is watching whether Speaker Johnson will put that bill on the floor.”

Johnson is ready to attend a gathering with the president and the opposite three congressional leaders Tuesday on the emergency help bundle and the specter of a possible shutdown subsequent month.