Kevin McCarthy desires to speak to the Ukrainian president earlier than writing one other examine for Kiev
US Home Speaker Kevin McCarthy has refused to commit one other $24 billion to Ukraine, telling reporters that he “has questions” for Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky first. With American navy support to Kiev dried up, disagreement on authorizing one other funding package deal threatens to grind Washington to a halt.
Zelensky is because of meet with lawmakers on Capitol Hill throughout a go to to Washington on Thursday. Forward of the assembly, McCarthy was requested on Tuesday whether or not he would pledge $24 billion in navy and financial support to the Ukrainian president, as US President Joe Biden has requested.
“Is Zelensky elected to Congress?” McCarthy responded. “Is he our president? I don’t suppose I’ve to commit something and I feel I’ve questions for him.”
“The place’s the accountability on the cash we’ve already spent?” the Republican chief continued. “What’s the plan for victory? I feel that is what the American public desires to know.”
Within the US Senate, the highest Republican and Democrat leaders – Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer – need the $24 billion hooked up to a wider funding invoice that have to be handed earlier than the tip of the month to maintain the federal government working. McCarthy desires any cash for Ukraine to be mentioned as a standalone invoice, whereas a small group of hardline conservatives within the Home need the broad funding invoice changed with particular person payments for particular person authorities businesses.
This group, dubbed the ‘Freedom Caucus’, backed McCarthy’s speakership final 12 months in trade for the fitting to take away him from the place. Most members of the ‘Freedom Caucus’ are politically aligned with former President Donald Trump, and oppose additional US support to Ukraine.
“There’s no cash within the Home proper now for Ukraine. It’s not there,” Rep. Byron Donalds advised The Recount on Tuesday. “To be blunt, we’re working a $2 trillion deficit. Any cash we give to Ukraine, we’re borrowing from our future.”
“It’s not a great time for [Zelensky] to be right here, fairly frankly,” Donalds added.
The US has allotted a complete of $113 billion in support to Ukraine since Russia launched its navy operation final February, together with greater than $43 billion value of arms, ammunition, and different navy gear.
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