(ConservativeJournal.org) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s upcoming visit to Washington holds a lot of weight for his country’s partnership with the United States. Because Zelenskyy is mostly coming to the US to vie for more aid, the visit has split the opinions of Republican leaders.
President Joe Biden is advocating for an extra $24 billion in security and humanitarian support for Ukraine, aligning with his commitment to assist the country until Russia capitulates or retreats. Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has expressed being in favor of additional Ukraine aid as a standalone bill, instead of tacking it onto other bills that provide normal funding of the government.
Senate leaders intend to combine Ukraine aid with other spending programs, such as a short-term spending bill needed to prevent a government shutdown by the end of September.
Attaching Ukraine’s aid to other pressing matters could make the package pass faster, as lawmakers might be more inclined to support it when linked to issues like disaster relief for their home states. However, this tactic would further divide House Republicans and potentially jeopardize McCarthy’s position as House Speaker.
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell prioritizes Ukraine aid and has been advocating for its swift passage.
With House Republicans now in the majority, there is also growing skepticism among voters about sustained aid to Ukraine, particularly as Russia’s invasion transforms into a protracted war. The United States has previously approved four rounds of aid to Ukraine in response to Russia’s invasion, amounting to over $112 billion. While most House and Senate members support this assistance, House Republicans advocate for the “America First” approach of former President Donald Trump and for halting aid.
These differing approaches could lead to a deadlock, potentially delaying future rounds of American assistance to Ukraine. This makes the stakes harsher for Zelenskyy during his first visit to the United States since his surprise congressional address in late 2022, where he expressed gratitude for American support.
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