Skepticism Grows Among House Republicans on Ukraine Funding
Skepticism is growing among House Republicans regarding the approval of further funding for Ukraine as Congress faces its first test on America’s role in the war against Russia. The House could vote on this issue as early as this month if the Senate decides to include a Ukraine aid package in a continuing resolution to extend the deadline for a potential government shutdown. While opposition to more Ukraine funding has traditionally come from a minority wing of far-right lawmakers, moderate House Republicans are now expressing concerns as well.
Representative Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, stated that funding for Ukraine is a cause of concern for many Republicans. She emphasized the importance of focusing spending bills on keeping the federal government running and addressing domestic crises such as recent wildfires in Hawaii. Representative Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), a former chair of the House Freedom Caucus, expressed his doubts about the passage of a new Ukraine package. However, he acknowledged that the opposition may face challenges due to the presence of numerous “war hawks” in Congress.
Although Republican opposition to U.S. military support for Ukraine has grown over the past year and a half, previous spending packages for Kyiv have been overwhelmingly passed by a majority of the GOP caucus and almost all Democrats. However, the upcoming vote on Ukraine aid will be the first major package vote since Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) pledged not to provide “blank checks” to Ukraine. This uneasiness in the House coincides with the Senate’s plan to include Ukraine funding in a continuing resolution, while the House may choose to postpone the decision and address it separately later in the year.
Further action is in response to President Biden’s request for $24 billion to support Ukraine, including $13 billion in security assistance. Speaker Kevin McCarthy is reluctant to include Ukraine funding in a continuing resolution but may consider passing it as a separate supplemental bill if additional funding for the border is secured. The ongoing impeachment inquiry into President Biden may also impact the spending talks in the House.
Representative Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), a member of the Armed Services Committee, suggested that the House has numerous other pressing issues to address before focusing on Ukraine funding. She highlighted the decreasing public support for the war in Ukraine and the challenges in selling additional funding to the American people. Various polls indicate that a majority of Americans, especially Republicans, oppose providing further aid to Ukraine.
With Ukraine struggling to gain ground in its counteroffensive against Russia and the existing aid pool running out, the need for consistent weaponry and equipment becomes crucial. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) argued that skeptics of Ukraine aid were making “faulty arguments” and emphasized the strategic significance of supporting Ukraine in its battle against Russian aggression. However, concerns persist that House Republicans, especially those aligned with the Freedom Caucus, may derail further aid to Ukraine. Former President Trump and other Republican figures have also voiced skepticism, while Representative Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) hopes that Speaker McCarthy will keep Ukraine funding off the floor entirely.
The Biden administration remains committed to its goals in Ukraine and has sought to address concerns regarding the mission in the war. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan has reiterated the administration’s desire for Ukraine’s success on the battlefield, the return of its territory, and the end of Russian involvement. However, he acknowledged that immediate resolution is unlikely as Russia shows no signs of withdrawing.
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