Top Dem takes swipe at Speaker Johnson over Zelensky

The head of the House Democratic Caucus took a swipe at Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Tuesday over the Republicans’ decision not to stage a meeting between the full House and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his Capitol visit.

“We just thank him for coming out, and [having] the courage to come here. Unfortunately, House Republicans didn’t extend that offer to meet like the Senate did — to meet with all members,” Rep. Pete Aguilar (Calif.) told reporters during a press briefing in the Capitol.

“It would have been nice if Speaker Johnson conveyed that, but he didn’t.”

Aguilar was part of a much smaller meeting Tuesday morning between Zelensky and House Democratic lawmakers, including Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.). Afterward, he characterized the meeting as a “productive” update on the state of play in Ukraine.

“But the important takeaway is: We have to do everything we can to help Ukraine fight for democracy, fight for their sovereignty,” Aguilar said.

“We conveyed [that] the House Democratic Caucus stands with him, has stood with him, and will continue to. We talked about the importance of the resources, where those resources go, the accountability measures that the Ukrainians have put in place to help them — and to help convey to the world that they are using these resources effectively,” Aguilar continued.

“And also the fact that they are making progress, that they’ve retaken 50 percent of the land that was previously taken through Russian aggression.”

The comments arrive as Congress is struggling to reach an agreement on new funding to help Ukraine amid its long-running war with invading Russian forces. That emergency aid is part of a much larger package, including funding for Israel, Taiwan and humanitarian aid in Gaza, that’s been held up over entrenched disagreements between the parties over U.S. border security.

Johnson, after meeting with Zelensky, didn’t budge from Republican demands to move on border security before advancing additional Ukraine aid.

“These are our conditions because these are the conditions of the American people,” Johnson said of border security. “And we are resolute on that. It is not the House’s issue right now. The issue is with the White House and the Senate, and I implore them to do their job because the time is urgent and we do want to do the right thing.”

Aguilar said the border security issue was not broached during the Democrats’ meeting with Zelensky. He said Democrats are “ready, willing and able” to help broker a deal that solidifies passage of that package.

But it appears more and more unlikely that Congress will reach such an agreement before the long holiday break, which is scheduled to begin at the end of the week.

“The calendar is a concern,” Aguilar said.