Speaker Mike Johnson’s indicated that his position on a border deal has not changed after a Wednesday meeting with President Joe Biden and other congressional leaders about Ukraine and a national security supplemental bill.

“We must have change at the border,” Johnson said. He added that House Republicans “understand the necessity about Ukraine funding” but that the “status quo is unacceptable.”

Johnson’s remarks show a continued hardline position on tying Ukraine funding to border restrictions. He also said he was not wedded strictly to the name of any bill being attached, a nod to the fact that many House Republicans want the deal to closely mimic the conservative border bill H.R. 2, but said the elements in any deal “have to be meaningful.”

“We need the questions answered about the strategy, the endgame,” Johnson told reporters of Ukraine. And he added: “We must insist that the border be the top priority.”

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