Ukraine will get $65 million in aid from the United States to stave off Russian aggression.
On Thursday, two influential senators from rival parties met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other top officials in Kyiv, where they pledged ongoing “broad support” in Congress for Ukraine.
The already deep party rift over whether or not to help Ukraine in its struggle against a Russian invasion has been fueled by comments from Senators Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Chris Coons (D-Del.). The United States has already donated more than $65 million to the country.
On Thursday, Representatives Portman and Coons published a statement emphasizing the “huge support” that continues to exist in Congress for the Ukrainian people.
We met with President Zelenskyy to express our support for the Ukrainian people and to address the needs of Ukraine as it continues to defend itself against this savage Russian attack. After visiting a World Food Programme distribution center, President Zelenskyy praised the American people for their “vital security, economic, and humanitarian support.”
Lame-duck lawmakers are likely to discuss increasing military funding in the lame-duck session following the November elections. However, many Republicans, including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who might become speaker of the House in January if Republicans win control of the chamber, are wondering whether it is appropriate to continue supplying Ukraine with such enormous quantities of U.S. aid.
McCarthy previously stated to Punchbowl News, “I think people are going to be sitting in a recession, and they are not going to throw a blank check to Ukraine.”
McCarthy has the support of the majority of his Republican Senate colleagues and a sizeable portion of the Republican party in the House. Republican hopeful JD Vance, vying to replace Portman, supports freezing all aid to Ukraine.
A majority of lawmakers in Congress are expected to support a bill that will provide further help to Ukraine in the coming weeks and months. Every single one of the Democrats fits this description.
In addition, Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), the minority leader in the Senate, has stated once again that he is in favor of sending American help to Ukraine.