As the one-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine approaches, the Republican Party finds itself bitterly divided on Capitol Hill over whether the US should continue aiding Ukraine – a dispute that is only expected to intensify in the months ahead even as GOP leaders have sought to downplay it.
On Tuesday, a group of House Republicans led a congressional delegation to Ukraine to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to the war-torn nation, after promoting a similar message at the global Munich Security Conference over the weekend. But back home, the GOP’s isolationist wing spent the week publicly bashing President Joe Biden’s surprise visit to Ukraine and re-upped their calls to end military and financial aid to the country.
It’s a dynamic that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has had to navigate carefully. The California Republican recently told CNN he does not support a resolution from GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida declaring congressional “fatigue” over supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, which shows no signs of abating. But McCarthy reiterated he would not automatically rubber stamp whatever aid package the Biden administration requests – a clear sign that it’s going to be far more difficult to pass any further Ukraine funding under a GOP-led House.
“No, I support Ukraine,” McCarthy said when asked by CNN whether he supports Gaetz’s measure. “I don’t support a blank check, though. We spent $100 billion here, we want to win. I think the actions that President Biden has taken are a bit too late.”
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell – who attended the Munich Security Conference over the weekend – has given an even sharper message, making it his personal mission of sorts to try and quell the more isolationist voices in his party and assure the Ukrainians that the US will not abandon them.
“Reports…
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