Future Ukraine Aid at Risk

Plus: Why do showdowns between the GOP and their own speakers keep happening?

By and
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Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer walk with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky on September 21, 2023, in the U.S. Capitol. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Majorities in both chambers of Congress support sending more financial aid to Ukraine. But you’d be forgiven for thinking the opposite is true after leaders in the House and Senate stripped out around $6 billion in Ukraine aid from the bill that kept the government from shutting down late last month.

As the fighting in Ukraine drags on and another spending deadline in the United States looms, most members of Congress are considering how to get more money for the war effort across the finish line. Doing so would have been a challenge even when former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy held the gavel. Now the prospects are even murkier.

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Comments (42)
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  1. Jack H Wolf

    For those interested in donating money to the Ukrainian military, as I have done several times, this is a site that I have checked out as legitimate by various sources (Forbes, Wikipedia, etc.) United24 https://u24.gov.ua/

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  2. Bigdonmck

    Loved the article, especially ending it with the quote on how it is on the voters to send better people to Washington. Really good stuff. Thanks.

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      Jeff Younger

      I can’t get my brain around how the GOP - typically made up of older voters - has completely forgotten the 45 years we spent locked in a Cold War with the Soviet Union, and former KGB goon Putin’s attempt to recreate the Soviet empire. Ukraine certainly has its share of problems with corruption and ultra nationalism, but it is trying to find its way in the world, no longer in the grips of the Russian bear. And the Trump led nationalist wing of the party is slowly turning more people against aiding a free nation against an invasion by a hostile dictatorship, led by a maniacal, genocidal tyrant. That runs counter to everything the GOP has stood for

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    2. Jack H Wolf

      Yes. And that is not Jim Jordan. I am not sure if Scalise can resist the pressure of the isolationist right but to date he has supported Ukraine.

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      Earl King

      on this we agree

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  4. Craig B.

    It seems the idea of tying border security to Ukraine aid is one of those things that's so sensible it's hard to see how it passes. Isn't that one of those things that should work but the goofs on both sides find it in their interest to block, but maybe there's a chance it will work if there's enough sensible people on both sides to make it work.

    And it makes my blood boil to hear someone like Jim Jordan say that Ukraine is "not the most pressing issue" for Americans. Of course it's not, but does that mean you can only focus on one thing at a time?

    For instance, I'm only one person and I can focus on Ukraine, border security, and why we have numbskulls like Jordan and AOC in the decision-making process on both of them. See? It's not that hard.

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      Earl King

      Because Jim Jordan and AOC would have to agree on both. Unlikely in my lifetime

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      1. Craig B.

        I don’t know what you mean. That never happened to me in college. Have to leave the country that night? Sure. Taking a vow of silence? Sometimes. But never studying.

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    PJ

    "Firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia has already vowed not to back any speaker who supports aid to the war-torn country."

    I vote we buy MTG and Soviet Steve Daines one way tickets to Moscow, with government funding to move their belongings.

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  6. Johnnyberge

    Ultimately it’s fealty to Trump, who favors Putin. The GOP and right wing media are stoking that belief. That’s why Republican sentiment has changed so radically over the last year.

    It would be good to ask who these voters, and members of Congress want to win the war, because it’s truly a binary decision.

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    Bill Dyer (aka Beldar)

    Ms. Prude & Ms. Wilt, y'all are just knocking the ball out of the park on a regular basis. Fine writing & insightful reporting. Carry on!

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      Harvest Prude

      Thank you!

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    Bill Dyer (aka Beldar)

    There are legitimate concerns that the recent and current rates of donations of weapons and war materiel to Ukraine by the U.S. and its NATO partners represents an "outsize share" of the CONSUMPTION of those weapons and that materiel.

    But we and our allies paid for all that stuff for ourselves with the expectation that our own soldiers and sailors and airmen would likely be using it (if at all, other than for training) against the Russians. It's still being used for its intended purpose, by Ukrainians — with no American or other allied casualties.

    We need to be paying close attention to replenishment. But this proxy fight is not only righteous, but in financial terms, a cheap one for its potential returns and for the potential catastrophes it may avert. And we can make more stuff — we're very good at making more stuff.

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    1. Ufodaddy

      The problem is getting simple minded people who aren't dupes for Instagram/Twitter celebrities to understand this.

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    John A Johnson

    Before my time (or any of yours) Will Rogers had the famous quip, "I don't belong to any organized political party; I'm a Democrat."
    Substitute one word and it's true for me.

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    Earl King

    Thank you, thank you. I wish you’d been able to say it is being discussed.

    If I were there I would be starting now. If every Democrats and 6 or 7 GOP members join them in the discharge petition, it means Ukraine gets its funding.

    Here would be my threat to the incoming Speaker, were I Michael McCaul. I’ll go along with the Ukraine and Southern border negotiating to a point after a Speaker is chosen. Then I’m going to tell the Jordan’s of the world, that me and my motorcycle gang of 10 are stating a discharge petition for $ 20 Billion dollars Ukraine funding bill that Hakeem is going to pen. Let him choke on that.

    God I hope at least one GOP Congressmen reads the comments.

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      Logical

      Now the true EK comes out.

      Dems suck, stupid, ignorant, ....

      Except when some decency, the Constitution, orderly transfer of power, or doing the right thing in congress is at stake.

      And it will need ALL of Dems!

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        Earl King

        Ok no where did I say Dems suck. I am 100% for Ukraine funding Russo and Putin are evil empires. WTF are you talking about??

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          Logical

          "WTF are you talking about??"

          I was just thinking about your daily rants.

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            Earl King

            Oh, well Dems do suck as a general given. LOL
            Once I hear Democrats talk about truly lowering our financial insanity which will include compromises on both taxes and spending I will stay with my position.
            Oh and by the way the idiots in the GOP also suck.

            See both are given to idiocy and insanity.

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      David Burke

      Oh, that Jeffries were in charge, Earl

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        Earl King

        We’ll see. If the “normies” don’t take control they should give it away....I am however ascribing principals that I don’t know if they exist. LOL

        Otherwise pay 5 GOP Congressmen to retire with cushy Board Jobs or Lobby Jobs....they can vote for Jeffreys.

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