Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has vowed to fight Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for the rest of his term, and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) has vowed to fight funding for the war. We proposed a novel approach to continue providing services. – But Republican resistance in both chambers could still derail leadership efforts to secure new aid.
“We are funding a new forever war that will destroy future generations, while our southern border “We remain open and disregard our own safety.” “It’s ridiculous that overnight throwing more tax dollars into Ukraine becomes a consideration. It should be completely taken off the table and replaced by promoting peace negotiations.”
Prime Minister Johnson appeared on the Fox News Channel Sunday night and announced his intention to take action on aid to Ukraine as soon as lawmakers return to Washington next week. It’s a hot topic for conservatives, but he has signaled a plan that is vastly different from the $95 billion in aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan passed by the Senate.
One of the House’s possible future efforts to provide resources to Ukraine is the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act (REPO). The move would allow the United States to liquidate seized Russian assets and repurpose the funds into further aid to Ukraine.
Prime Minister Johnson has unveiled several possible elements of a House of Commons package for aid to Ukraine. (Getty Images)
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That option is one of several possible alternatives, Johnson said, and “I think it makes more sense and I think we’ll get some agreement.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham of the R.S.C. posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday night, praising the plan, saying, “I’m heartened to hear that Chairman Johnson will step up to help Ukraine when Congress reconvenes next week.”
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“This proposal, or something like it, when combined with border security, would be a win-win package for everyone involved,” he said of potential elements of a package led by Prime Minister Boris Johnson. He said this could also include assistance in the form of loans. , we are also taking steps to reduce our dependence on foreign sources for energy.
It is unclear whether Johnson’s Ukraine plan will be accompanied by U.S. border security measures. Fox News Digital has contacted the Speaker’s office for clarification.
Congressional Republicans earlier this year cut $118 billion in aid to Ukraine, Taiwan, Israel and the U.S. border, arguing it was not enough to address the ongoing border crisis. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and President Biden are pressuring Johnson to adopt a slimmer $95 billion package without border measures.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), an ardent supporter of aid to Ukraine, would not comment on the various possible routes House Republicans are eyeing. The spokesperson reiterated that Mr. McConnell’s main focus is to get aid to Ukraine in the quickest way possible.
McConnell said in a radio interview Monday from Kentucky that his “focus for the next few years” will be on supporting Ukraine and preventing Russian expansion. He also insisted he would continue to fight the “isolationist” tendencies within his party, which are growing in popularity among his fellow Republican senators.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
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A spokesperson for Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member James Risch (R-Idaho) said in a statement: “Senator Risch has discussed with his colleagues what should be included in the supplement, including the REPO bill to seize Russian government assets. We have talked about it many times,” he said. ”
“We look forward to reviewing all the changes Speaker Johnson makes and what passes the House of Commons,” the spokesperson continued.
A House Foreign Affairs Committee aide told Fox News Digital that a “stronger version” of the REPO Act, which the committee chairman, Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) helped introduce in the House, will be part of the final package. He said he hopes that will become the case.
Sen. Lindsey Graham expressed support for elements of the House package to aid Ukraine. (Office of the President of Ukraine)
It’s clear the issue continues to drive a wedge within the party, with other Republicans reluctant to discuss anything concrete without a solid plan.
Rep. Young Kim (R-Calif.) told Fox News Digital, “Speaker Johnson said targeted legislation to assist in the defense of Ukraine will be brought to the floor when we return from recess. “I will try to prevent Mr. Johnson from doing so.” “If we fail to support Ukraine, we will be playing into the hands of Russia, China, North Korea and Iran.”
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“We need to make sure that Ukraine has the weapons it needs to win and that Biden enforces sanctions against President Putin,” said Rep. Austin Scott (R-Ga.).
However, many Republicans remained skeptical about bringing any measure to support Ukraine to the floor.
Ukraine has been at war with Russia for more than two years. (Photo by Diego Herrera Calcedo/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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“America’s security must be our top priority,” House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good (R-Va.) told Fox News Digital. “America’s safety must be our top priority. “We cannot continue to borrow and spend money we don’t have to fight a war in China.” “It’s a border invasion here at home. At the very least, the military aid package to Ukraine should be fully offset and include HR2 with performance indicators to secure our nation’s borders.”
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) decried the promotion of an “intractable and bloody proxy war,” citing concerns unfolding at America’s southern border. “First and foremost, we must keep our promises to the American people and secure our borders,” he said.
Mr Hawley was skeptical of Mr Johnson’s alternative support plan for Ukraine. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Seneta)
Lee’s office said the senator believes these alternatives to Ukraine are a contraption that does not address the ongoing war with no end in sight. His office said the aid being offered in the form of liquidations of Russian assets or loans was a misguided tactic that was unlikely to offset spending or recover in the long term.
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“No matter how Prime Minister Johnson tries to hide additional aid to Ukraine, it is still additional aid to Ukraine,” Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) said in a statement. . “And it’s an insult to Missouri taxpayers that the House is giving Ukrainian oligarchs even more money before renewing RECA and giving radiation victims in Missouri and across the country the compensation they deserve. .We should put the American people first, not Ukraine.”
Several offices in both chambers have suspended action on potential elements of the Ukraine Duma package until it becomes more formal.
