Kevin McCarthy vows to grill Zelensky saying ‘I have questions for him’ amid GOP’s open
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy demanded ‘accountability’ on U.S. aid to Ukraine and vowed to question President Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington, amid heightening tensions among Republicans over funding the country’s defense.
‘Is Zelenskyy elected to Congress? Is he our president? I don’t think I have to commit anything and I think I have questions for him,’ McCarthy said Tuesday, in just the latest remarks exhibiting skepticism about billions in U.S. military and other support.
‘Where’s the accountability on the money we’ve already spent? What is the plan for victory? I think that’s what the American public wants to know,’ he said, ABC News reported.
McCarthy spoke at length on the topic as Zelensky attended UN General Assembly meetings in New York, and was on hand for President Joe Biden‘s speech where he blasted Russia’s invasion and blasted its ”illegal war of conquest.’
McCarthy spoke days before U.S. government funding is set to run out, setting up a possible government shutdown amid howls of protest form conservative Freedom Caucus members about a temporary spending measure.
The Biden administration is hoping to cut through the tensions to deliver a $24 billion aid package amid Ukraine’s counteroffensive.
‘Look what Russia has done — invade — is wrong,’ McCarthy.
‘It’s an atrocity, we want to make sure that ends. I also have always said from the beginning, no matter what the issue is, I want accountability for whatever the hardworking taxpayers spend their money on. I want to plan for victory. So no, I will listen to the American public. I will follow what happens in Congress, but I will have questions for President Zelensky,’ he added.
‘I will have questions for President Zelensky,’ said House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, amid deep skepticism within his caucus about funding Ukraine’s war to turn back Russia’s invasion
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky watched as President Joe Biden told the United Nations General Assembly that no nation is safe if the world allowed for Ukraine to be ‘carved up’ by Russia
President Joe Biden addressed the United Nations General Assembly Tuesday morning in New York City. In his speech, he went after Russia’s ‘illegal war of conquest’ in Ukraine and recommitted the U.S. to the cause of assisting Ukraine
It came as a key alley, Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, continued to fume about Ukraine aid on X, the site formerly known as Twitter.
‘I will not vote to fund a single penny to the war in Ukraine, COVID anything, and the political weaponized government,’ she said.
She also agreed with Trump ally Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) that she would oppose a temporary measure negotiated between conservatives and more centrist Republicans that would still slash domestic non-defense funding by 8 per cent.
‘Oh absolutely. I’m a NO! Funding [special counsel] Jack Smith’s persecution of Trump is one of my red lines. No money for Ukraine or COVID insanity either. And continuing Pelosi’s policies for even one day is unacceptable.’
Biden warned at the UN that no nation can be secure if ‘we allow Ukraine to be carved up.’
‘I ask you this: If we abandon the core principles of the United States to appease an aggressor, can any member state in this body feel confident that they are protected?’ Biden said. ‘If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure?
‘I’d respectfully suggest the answer is no,’ he said.
Biden has an ally in Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who is pushing to continue U.S. funding.
‘Helping Ukraine retake its territory means weakening — weakening — one of America’s biggest strategic adversaries without firing a shot,’ McConnell said recently on the Senate floor.
Conservatives are warring over the spending bill, called a CR, and the Ukraine aide.
Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), promoted the short-term bill – in part by touting its lack of Ukraine funding.
‘The 30 day CR does 2 things: 1. Secure the southern border. 2. Cut government spending by 8%. **There is NO Ukraine $$$** The truth is Congress needs more time to do the necessary spending cuts and reforms to stop the weaponization of our government and save our country,’ he wrote.
Said Gaetz, who has threatened to push essentially a no-confidence vote in McCarthy, ‘Lumping disparate agencies of Goverment [sic] into one big vote is a terrible idea. My friend Byron left off his list that the Donalds CR funds the election interference of Jack Smith. I am a NO. We must be better than this.