House Republican opposition to Ukraine aid grows, threatening funds as war rages

A growing division within the Republican Party regarding continued U.S. aid to Ukraine is jeopardizing the passage of additional funding to help the country defend itself against a potential Russian incursion.

Despite broad bipartisan support in Congress for continuing Ukraine funding, the issue has become a central point of contention in the debate over a looming government shutdown. Some hardline Republicans, who are pressuring House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, want to cut off Ukraine aid, which has put McCarthy in a difficult position.

Two amendments in the House aimed at reducing or eliminating military assistance to Ukraine received significant support from Republican lawmakers, with 93 votes for one amendment and 104 for the other. While both amendments failed due to overwhelming opposition, they reflect a growing populist sentiment within the GOP that questions the value of the current global order and the need to prevent Russia from gaining an advantage in Ukraine.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, on the other hand, has strongly advocated for continuing aid to Ukraine, emphasizing that a Russian victory would benefit China, America’s primary geopolitical rival. McConnell supports a short-term funding bill that includes approximately $6 billion in economic and military aid to Ukraine while broader negotiations continue.

The Republican divide over Ukraine aid is also evident in the party’s presidential candidates, with some, including former President Donald Trump, opposing funding for Ukraine, while others, like Sen. Tim Scott, Nikki Haley, and Chris Christie, support continued aid.

To address the issue and avoid a government shutdown, lawmakers are considering including Ukraine funding in any bill that keeps the government open. Senate Republicans are exploring the possibility of attaching border security provisions to the Senate’s short-term funding bill to garner support from House Republicans who oppose Ukraine aid.

However, this eleventh-hour effort may not be successful, as some Republican hardliners are demanding immigration measures and border wall funding as prerequisites for supporting any government funding bill.

Despite the challenges, there is still optimism among some lawmakers that Ukraine funding will ultimately pass, given the strong bipartisan majority that supports it. Nevertheless, the longer the debate drags on, the more problematic it becomes for Ukraine and its supporters in Congress.