House Republicans have decided to move forward with providing aid to Ukraine, softening their previous stance which tied the assistance to border security reforms. Speaker Mike Johnson announced the forthcoming presentation of bills aimed at supporting Ukraine’s defense efforts and Israel’s military, marking a deviation from their earlier position that demanded progress on immigration reform and border security prior to any foreign aid. This change follows a failure to reach a bipartisan agreement on immigration and border issues in Congress, raising speculation about potential pushback from the far-right faction of the party, especially from figures like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene who had threatened Johnson’s leadership over the Ukraine funding matter.

In a separate development, White House lawyer Ed Siskel has directed a letter to Speaker Johnson calling for an end to the impeachment inquiry against President Joe Biden, condemning it as baseless. Siskel criticized the investigation’s reliance on questionable evidence and sources, specifically pointing out an FBI informant facing charges for making false claims against Biden. The White House’s request underscores tensions surrounding the inquiry, which Democrats view as a political strategy during an election cycle. The investigation, aimed at uncovering any illicit benefits Joe Biden might have received from his son’s business activities abroad, has reportedly led to internal discontent among Republicans due to a lack of substantial progress. Speaker Johnson, addressing concerns over the inquiry’s duration, reminded that it aligns with constitutional procedures, with further steps involving a hearing with Hunter Biden’s former business associates, although the outcome remains uncertain.