House Republican Vice Chair Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) became the chamber’s Speaker on Wednesday, three weeks after Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted.
On Tuesday, Johnson became his conference’s fourth nominee to replace McCarthy, and he takes over in the midst of multiple international crises, most notably in Israel, Gaza and Ukraine. There has been a split in the House GOP over aid to Ukraine for its war against Russia, making the passage of some recent bills a tough hill to climb in the lower chamber.
President Biden announced the sending of a budget request to Congress requesting aid for both Israel and Ukraine in a speech last Thursday. The request is expected to be about $100 billion, with a large portion of the funds for Ukraine.
Johnson has shown some resistance to more funding for Ukraine in the past but seems to wholeheartedly support Israel.
Here’s what you need to know about his history of views on both conflicts:
Ukraine
Johnson made a strong statement in support of Ukraine in its effort to fight back against Russia in the wake of the invasion in February 2022.
“We should impose debilitating sanctions on Russia’s economic interests,” Johnson said in the statement, posted to X, the platform then known as Twitter. “We should return to robust American energy production to provide greater stability and security here and for our European allies. We should exclude Russia from global commerce and international institutions. Even though the best time to take these actions has passed, we must act decisively.”
“America’s prayers remain with the Ukrainian people,” Johnson continued.
In April 2022, he voted for The Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022, a bill that aimed to ease the process for the U.S. to send military aid to Ukraine. The bill was later signed by President Biden and became law.
However, in recent times, he has taken a skeptical stance toward aid for Ukraine. He voted against two different appropriations bills that aimed to provide aid to Ukraine, one in 2022 and another last month.
“American taxpayers have sent over $100 billion in aid to Ukraine in the last year,” Johnson said in an X post in February. “They deserve to know if the Ukrainian government is being entirely forthcoming and transparent about the use of this massive sum of taxpayer resources.”
After gaining the gavel, Johnson was asked whether he supports additional aid to Ukraine.
“We all do…we are going to have conditions on that, so we’re working through,” Johnson said while walking through the Capitol, in a clip posted Wednesday to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
“We want accountability, and we want objectives that are clear from the White House,“ Johnson later said in response to a question about what the conditions would be.
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Israel
Johnson has been strong in his support for Israel amid its conflict with Palestinian militant group Hamas.
“[T]he United States unequivocally stands with Israel and we will provide the support and resources necessary to rid the Middle East and the world of hamas’ terrorist regime,” Johnson said in a recent statement to Shreveport, La., television station KTAL. “Please join us in continued prayers for our friends and our allies in Israel.”
In a post on X on Thursday, Johnson appeared to say Biden’s recent Oval Office speech “only confirms the urgent need for the U.S. to act in support of our great ally, Israel, as they fight against Hamas terrorists.”
“We must elect a Speaker so the House can take all necessary action to end Hamas forever,” Johnson continued.
The Hill has reached out to Johnson’s office for further comment.
Updated at 5:16 p.m. ET