Republican lawmakers on Thursday vowed to give more scrutiny to financial support for Ukraine once they take control of the US House of Representatives in January, risking a showdown with the administration of US President Joe Biden, and raising questions about the long-term US commitment as the war drags on.
US Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Thomas Massie of Kentucky and other proponents of cutting aid to Ukraine demanded at a news conference that an inspector general be appointed to examine how money for Ukraine had been spent so far, saying Americans would not continue to support Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy without asking tough questions.
“It’s high time to stop sending any more money,” Massie said. “Don’t send another penny to Ukraine.”
Photo: EPA-EFE
Greene said the US could have secured its border with Mexico using the money sent to Ukraine.
While Greene and Massie are unlikely to get their wish to halt all funding, such demands could add to pressure on Republican leaders and create headaches for the Biden administration, which has put a focus on unity among Western allies to keep money and weapons flowing to Zelenskiy’s military.
Biden asked Congress this week for US$37.7 billion in new aid to Ukraine, and Democrats are expected to try to supply that in a US$1.7 trillion annual funding bill next month.
While Biden should have some ways to work around recalcitrant lawmakers after Republicans take over the House in January, their demands are certain to make allies uneasy.
US House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who is set to become speaker, said last month that Republicans are not going to write a “blank check” for Ukraine, especially given rising inflation at home.
The US has contributed about US$18 billion in security assistance and weapons since Russia invaded Ukraine in February.
However, the Republican victory was narrow, and some in the party want to keep the aid flowing, giving Democrats some leverage.
Republicans on Biden’s side include Representative Michael McCaul, who is set to take control of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee.
US Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has said his party wants to send Ukraine more assistance, not less.
However, qualms about the scale of support for Ukraine also might resurface from the left of the Democratic Party. In October, a letter from a group of 30 progressive House Democrats urged Biden to pursue negotiations with Russia to bring about a diplomatic end to the war in Ukraine. Within hours, after criticism from other Democrats, they backpedaled and affirmed support for Biden’s strategy.
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