Kevin McCarthy Ousting and its Potential Impact on U.S. Military Aid for Ukraine
The recent removal of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy created doubts about whether the United States will continue to financially support Ukraine and provide military aid.
With the absence of a Speaker, the House is unable to pass legislation. It may take a week or even longer before a new Speaker is elected. The wait casts doubt on when the U.S. will be able to provide support for Ukraine.
President Biden hinted at a “deal” with McCarthy to secure support for Ukraine, but the Republican Speaker’s office did not affirm any agreement.
According to Reuters, just three days before McCarthy was removed, he passed a temporary spending bill to avert a government shutdown.
Biden’s hint at a deal were questioned when McCarthy supported that temporary bill, which did not allocate additional funds for Ukraine. This brought even more doubt on the legitimacy of the U.S.’s support for Ukraine.
According to the Guardian, the choice of a new Speaker might affect the U.S.’s assistance for Ukraine. The new Speaker has potential to obstruct funding bills from advancing to a vote at the House.
Reuters said some Republican opponents criticize the aid to Ukraine and perceive it as unnecessary spending and a U.S. policy priority issue.
There is currently a bipartisan majority in Washington that is in favor of supporting Ukraine. Biden is counting on that bipartisan support, however, the recent chaos within the GOP raises uncertainties about when it will be delivered.
CNN analysts estimate Ukraine’s current “burn rate” on resources is about $2.5 billion a month and much of that funding comes from Washington.
The Pentagon’s Chief Financial Officer, Michael McCord, warned that funding for Ukraine was running low. CNN reported that there is about two months worth of money in the presidential drawdown authority.
McCord also warned Congressional leaders that $1.6 billion of the $26 billion that Congress authorized for equipment remains.
“Without additional funding now, we would have to delay or curtail assistance to meet Ukraine’s urgent requirements,” said McCord, CNN reported.
What’s left of funding for Ukraine stresses how much longer the U.S. will be able to support them, unless a bill was to be passed that affirmed additional funding.
Time causes growing concern for Ukraine, whose aid is affected and has been put in the middle of politics in the West.
According to CBS News reporter Nancy Cordes, Biden announced he will have a “major speech” for Congress regarding funding for Ukraine. Cordes mentioned how Biden once expressed his confidence that Ukraine aid “would pass the finish line.”
“The President himself is apparently concerned enough that he feels the need to go out there and give a major speech to try to get Congress back on track on this issue,” said Cordes.
On the day McCarthy was ousted, Biden went to X, formerly Twitter, to reiterate that the U.S. will support Ukraine even amidst the uncertainty.
