In Ukraine, Schumer challenges Speaker Johnson to ‘rise to the occasion’ and pass more US aid

By MARY CLARE JALONICK
Associated Press

On a surprise visit to Ukraine to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer directly challenged House Speaker Mike Johnson to take up a $95 billion national security package that includes aid for the besieged country. Schumer told reporters in Lviv on Friday that “the weight of history” is on Johnson’s shoulders. Schumer and four other Democratic senators met Zelenskyy and other officials. Schumer said he was in Ukraine “to talk directly to Speaker Johnson,” as the aid bill passed by the Senate has stalled in the House and as Ukrainian forces are running dangerously low on ammunition and weaponry.