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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has called on congressional Republicans to “act immediately” and pass the Senate-approved national security supplemental bill, emphasizing the pressing need to support foreign countries, including Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.
In a “Dear Colleague” letter released Monday, Jeffries leveraged the recent Iranian attack on Israel to highlight the critical need for swift action. The aid, which has been delayed for months, has been deemed by the White House as “critical” for confronting global threats.
Jeffries expressed frustration with the delay in Congress, particularly criticizing “Extreme MAGA Republicans” for lacking excuses while the Ukrainian people face consequences. He wrote, “The gravely serious events of this past weekend in the Middle East and Eastern Europe underscore the need for Congress to act immediately. We must take up the bipartisan and comprehensive national security bill passed by the Senate forthwith. This is a Churchill or Chamberlain moment. House Democrats will defend democracy and do everything in our legislative power to confront aggression. Will factions within the Republican majority continue to appease it?”
The push for action is further complicated by Speaker Mike Johnson’s maneuvers to place Ukraine aid on the voting floor despite resistance from his party. Johnson has been trying to modify the Senate-passed bill to appease dissenting GOP members. Still, he faces increasing pressure to proceed with the already approved legislation, which promises quicker enactment.
Amid these discussions, President Biden also stepped in, holding a call with top congressional leaders including Jeffries, Johnson, and Senate leaders Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell. In a statement, the White House said, “the President discussed the urgent need for the House of Representatives to pass the national security supplemental as soon as possible.”