Reaffirms Support for Military Aid Amid Domestic Political Challenges
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy firmly expressed his support for military aid to Ukraine on Monday, condemning Russia’s actions, particularly the impact on children, and calling for a Russian withdrawal from Ukraine. During his first overseas trip as speaker, which included a visit to Israel, McCarthy rejected claims that he does not back U.S. aid to Ukraine.
“I vote for aid for Ukraine. I support aid for Ukraine,” McCarthy stated in response to a question from a Russian reporter. He emphasized, “You should pull out,” reinforcing his stance against Russia’s military aggression.
McCarthy’s remarks came as he led a bipartisan delegation of U.S. lawmakers to Jerusalem, marking a significant moment as he became the first House speaker to address the Israeli Knesset in 25 years. Following his international engagements, he turned to domestic issues, notably the ongoing negotiations with President Biden over the U.S. debt ceiling.
Despite his efforts, McCarthy noted that he has yet to receive a response from Biden regarding these negotiations, quipping that he felt “a little like Netanyahu” in reference to the Israeli Prime Minister’s similar situation with the U.S. president. He expressed hope that Biden would reconsider and engage in discussions.
Last week, House Republicans proposed a package to raise the debt limit by $1.5 trillion, contingent on implementing spending restrictions and conservative policy priorities that Democrats oppose. Biden has indicated he would veto such a bill, insisting that any debt ceiling increase must be unconditional to avert a default on the nation’s debts.
McCarthy clarified that a “clean” debt ceiling increase without accompanying measures to address the national debt is not an option for House Republicans. “We will not pass a debt ceiling that just raises it without doing something about our debt,” he stated.
As McCarthy navigates the complex dynamics of Republican politics, particularly with factions aligned with former President Trump opposing extensive overseas spending, he remains committed to backing U.S. efforts against Russia while ensuring accountability for taxpayer funds.
Former Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi recently reflected on her own trip to Kyiv, emphasizing the importance of supporting Ukraine and democracy. Meanwhile, both McCarthy and Biden are working to prevent a potential debt default as Congress faces urgent decisions regarding the nation’s $31 trillion debt.
