Supporters of US aid to Ukraine are watching the turmoil in the House with growing alarm

Supporters of continued U.S. assistance to Ukraine are closely monitoring the situation in the House of Representatives with growing concern. The recent removal of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has complicated the prospects for additional aid to Ukraine, as many House Republicans are now hesitant to support aid for the war-ravaged nation while they seek a new leader.

This significant development occurred during a critical period, as the deadline for government funding is just over a month away. Simultaneously, opposition to providing support for Ukraine’s defensive efforts against Russia is gaining momentum among Republicans in both the House and Senate.

To expedite the passage of a temporary funding measure, leaders decided to exclude $6 billion in aid for Ukraine. This decision was made just hours before a government shutdown would have occurred, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.

The challenge now lies in Congress’s ability to pass another spending bill to keep the government operational by mid-November. Advocates for Ukraine aid, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who recently visited the Capitol to make a personal plea for financial support, stress the necessity of including additional funding.

However, the House remains leaderless, causing legislative activities to come to a standstill. The timing of the election of the next speaker remains uncertain, further complicating matters.

The removal of McCarthy was driven by the dissatisfaction of eight Republican lawmakers who disagreed with his cooperation with Democrats on government funding. Consequently, McCarthy’s successor is likely to clash with Senate and House Democrats on various issues, including funding for Ukraine.

President Joe Biden expressed his concerns about the situation, emphasizing the need to avoid last-minute brinksmanship that could lead to a government shutdown. He pledged to address the matter of Ukraine aid soon.

In the Senate, bipartisan support for Ukraine remains stronger, with Democrats and Republicans alike expressing alarm. They recognize the significance of the conflict in Ukraine and the potential consequences if the United States abandons its support for the nation.

Some Senate Republicans who support Ukraine aid have proposed tying it to increased funding or policy changes related to managing the southern U.S. border, seeing it as a potential compromise. However, any negotiations are currently on hold as House Republicans focus on selecting a new leader.

The uncertainty surrounding leadership in the House has raised concerns about the fate of Ukraine aid. While House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise have declared their intentions to run for speaker, the situation remains fluid. Jordan has made his opposition to additional Ukraine aid clear, emphasizing that the border situation and crime are more pressing issues.

Before Ukraine aid was removed from the temporary funding bill, the House had approved $300 million for a program providing training to Ukrainian troops on American-made weapons systems. The vote allowed some Republicans to express their opposition, with more than half of the Republican conference voting against it.

Rep. Kelly Armstrong, who voted for the training funding, emphasized the need for the Biden administration to effectively communicate its plans and objectives regarding Ukraine.

While the absence of McCarthy may not necessarily worsen the situation for some Democrats, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, a Republican supporter of Ukraine aid, expressed concerns about the potential government shutdown and delayed spending decisions. Support for Ukraine will play a significant role in his choice of speaker.

In this increasingly complex landscape, time is running out, and the fate of U.S. aid to Ukraine hangs in the balance, with many stakeholders anxiously awaiting the resolution of leadership issues in the House of Representatives.

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More about Ukraine Aid Crisis

• [House Speaker Kevin McCarthy Ouster](Link to relevant news article)
• [U.S. Aid to Ukraine](Link to information on U.S. aid to Ukraine)
• [Government Funding Deadline](Link to information on the government funding deadline)
• [Bipartisan Support for Ukraine](Link to information on bipartisan support for Ukraine in the Senate)
• [Border Policy and Ukraine Aid](Link to details on Senate Republicans’ proposals regarding Ukraine aid and border policy)
• [President Joe Biden’s Statement](Link to President Biden’s statement on Ukraine aid and government funding)
• [Ukraine Conflict](Link to background information on the conflict in Ukraine)
• [House Vote on Ukraine Training Funding](Link to details of the House vote on funding for Ukrainian troops’ training)
• [Rep. Kelly Armstrong’s Statement](Link to Rep. Kelly Armstrong’s remarks on Ukraine aid)
• [House Speaker Selection](Link to information on the selection of the new House Speaker)
• [House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul](Link to Chairman McCaul’s position on Ukraine aid and leadership)