President Joe Biden called the behavior of House Republicans “shocking” on Monday for “walking away from the threat of Russia” for not passing aid for Ukraine.
“The way they’re walking away from the threat of Russia, the way they’re walking away from NATO, the way they’re walking away from meeting our obligations. It’s just shocking. I’ve never seen anything like it,” Biden said in remarks to reporters on the White House lawn.
Biden’s frustrations with House Republicans have increased after the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died Friday in prison.
The president urged House Republicans to pass aid for Ukraine on Friday, saying, “It’s about time they step up, don’t you think,” instead of going on an extended recess, which he called a “two-week vacation.”
When asked by reporters Monday if Navalny’s death will make a difference for Republicans in passing an aid package, Biden said, “I hope so, but I’m not sure.”
Last week, the Senate passed a $95 billion bipartisan aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. House Speaker Mike Johnson has thus far resisted taking up the measure that would provide billions in aid to Ukraine amid its ongoing war with Moscow.
Biden said Monday that he would “be happy to meet with [Johnson] if he has anything to say.”