Newly elected House Speaker Mike Johnson met Thursday with President Biden at the White House to discuss the administration’s emergency request for additional foreign aid.
The meeting came one day after Mr. Johnson, Louisiana Republican, secured the speaker’s gavel following weeks of GOP infighting that had paralyzed Congress.
A White House official said that Mr. Johnson and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, New York Democrat, attended the meeting with Mr. Biden. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and White House Budget Director Shalanda Young also took part in the meeting, according to a person familiar with the discussions.
The conversations were said to focus on Mr. Biden’s request for nearly $106 billion in humanitarian and military aid for Israel and Ukraine. Mr. Johnson has opposed additional aid to Ukraine, but the meeting Thursday gave Mr. Biden an opportunity to make his case to House leadership.
The House is scheduled to scrutinize the funding request next week. Congress faces a Nov. 18 deadline to approve more funding to prevent a partial government shutdown.
Mr. Biden on Wednesday called Mr. Johnson to congratulate him. He also issued a statement pledging to work “in good faith” with the newly-minted House Speaker, who replaced Rep. Kevin McCarthy after his ouster on Oct. 3.
“That’s a principle I have always held to, and that I’ve acted on – delivering major bipartisan legislation on infrastructure, outcompeting China, gun reform, and veterans care,” Mr. Biden said.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.
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