White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre is blasting Republicans for their stance on Ukraine funding.
During a press briefing on Thursday, Jean-Pierre called it “stunning” that Congressional Republicans are opposing Ukraine funding with border security measures.
“It’s stunning that we have gotten to this point, and that Republicans in Congress [are] willing to give Putin a gift. The greatest gift that Putin could hope for. That’s what we’re seeing. And so they are playing chicken with our national security, that’s what we’re seeing here,” she insisted.
Finally, Jean-Pierre added, “History will remember them harshly.”
Watch the video below:
Karine Jean-Pierre says it's "stunning" that Republicans are demanding a secure border: "History will remember them harshly!" pic.twitter.com/U53xqtnjKn
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) December 7, 2023
Her comments come amid a showdown over additional funding for Ukraine and Israel. The White House has warned the U.S. is “out of money and nearly out of time” to help Ukraine earlier this week.
But on Wednesday, the Senate rejected a $110.5 billion funding bill as Republicans demanded the inclusion of provisions to overhaul the immigration system.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) discussed the plan of linking border security with future Ukraine funding in November as he said, “The American people feel very strongly about this, and I do as well. We have things that we can and should do around the world, but we have to take care of our own house first.”
“As long as the border is wide open, we’re opening ourselves up for great threats. And again, it’s just a matter of principle that if we’re going to take care of a border in Ukraine, we need to take care of America’s as well,” he added.
Even more moderate Congressional Republicans appear to be on board with the demand to address the border.
Earlier this week, Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) posted on X, formerly Twitter, “Dems want $106B—GOP wants a closed border. That’s the trade. But clueless Dems want to negotiate the border bill. Not going to happen.”
“Is an open border more important to Dems than Ukraine and Israel?” he asked.
Dems want $106B—GOP wants a closed border. That’s the trade. But clueless Dems want to negotiate the border bill. Not going to happen. Is an open border more important to Dems than Ukraine and Israel?
— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) December 5, 2023
Ahead of the failed vote, Biden blasted Republicans as he said, “Republicans think they can get everything they want without any bipartisan compromise. That’s not the answer.”
“Now they’re willing to literally kneecap Ukraine on the battlefield and damage our national security in the process,” he added.