McCarthy to remove Ukraine aid from defense bill, call for separate vote.
House Speaker McCarthy to Strip Funding for Ukrainian Soldiers from Defense Appropriations Bill
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has announced plans to remove the allocated funds for training Ukrainian soldiers from the defense appropriations bill. This decision comes in response to opposition from hard-line conservative members within his conference. McCarthy intends to hold a separate vote specifically for the Ukraine aid provision.
Provision for Ukrainian Soldiers Training
The defense appropriations bill initially included a provision of $300 million designated for training Ukrainian soldiers. Some members who were blocking the bill’s progress cited this provision as one of their reasons for doing so.
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) expressed her dissatisfaction with the inclusion of the Ukraine aid in a social media post, stating, “I just voted NO to the rule for the Defense bill because they refused to take the war money for Ukraine out and put it in a separate bill.”
Separate Vote and McCarthy’s Strategy
Recognizing the concerns raised by his conference members, McCarthy has decided to remove the provision from the bill and hold a separate vote on it. He explained, “This money is roughly 300 million for training, something we’ve always done; it was also in the NDAA. What you can do is you can take it out, move the DoD approps and move that piece all by itself.”
Given the widespread support for the Ukraine aid provision in the House, the separate vote is expected to pass. McCarthy’s decision is part of his efforts to appease the more conservative members of his conference, ensuring the passage of appropriations bills and avoiding a government shutdown.
House Rules Committee Meeting and Appropriations Bills
The House Rules Committee is scheduled to meet at 1 p.m. on Friday to discuss a rules package that includes the defense appropriations bill, homeland appropriations bill, state and foreign operations appropriations bill, and the agriculture appropriations bill.
This consolidated rules package will allow the House to vote on all four bills together, initiating the amendment process and potentially passing them to the Senate. McCarthy aims to hold the vote on the rules package on Tuesday.
However, passing these bills will not prevent a government shutdown on October 1. As the Senate is unlikely to accept the spending levels proposed by the House, a continuing resolution will be necessary to fund the government.
McCarthy’s Strategy to Avoid Shutdown
McCarthy believes that a government shutdown weakens their position. Therefore, he plans to push for a Republican-only continuing resolution next week, which includes spending caps and border security provisions.
McCarthy and his allies hope that by advancing appropriations bills that cut spending, such as the state and foreign operations and agriculture appropriations bills, they can gain support from holdouts and convince them to vote for a Republican-led continuing resolution. McCarthy is determined to avoid a shutdown.
He stated, “I just believe if you’re not funding the troops, and you’re not funding the border, it’s pretty difficult to think that you’re going to win in a shutdown. I’ve been through those a couple of times, and if members think by moving you into a shutdown that that’s a positive idea, I don’t think that’s where the majority of our conference is.”
Continuing Resolution and Appropriations Bills
The proposed continuing resolution will be set at the $1.471 trillion level, while the appropriations bills the House aims to pass will be marked up at the $1.526 trillion level.
It is important to note that the final versions of both the continuing resolution and the appropriations bills will differ. The Democrat-controlled Senate has already expressed their intention to not mark up the bills at the levels proposed by the House. They prefer a clean continuing resolution without policy riders or spending cuts attached.
What are the potential international implications of removing funding for Ukrainian soldiers from the defense appropriations bill
Lls as one unit. McCarthy’s decision to strip the funding for Ukrainian soldiers from the defense appropriations bill will likely be addressed during this meeting. The separate vote on the Ukraine aid provision will most likely be scheduled shortly after the committee meeting.
Implication for Ukrainian Soldiers
While McCarthy’s decision to hold a separate vote on the Ukraine aid provision may appease some members of his conference, it is important to consider the implications for Ukrainian soldiers. The provision for training Ukrainian soldiers is designed to support their efforts to defend their country against Russian aggression. By removing the allocated funds from the defense appropriations bill, there may be delays in the deployment of necessary resources to Ukraine, potentially impacting their ability to effectively combat Russian forces.
Furthermore, the decision to hold a separate vote on the Ukraine aid provision raises questions about the commitment of the United States to supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and security. The provision was included in the defense appropriations bill, highlighting its importance as a national security issue. By treating it as a separate matter, there is a risk that it may not receive the same level of attention and support from lawmakers.
International Implications
McCarthy’s decision to remove the funding for Ukrainian soldiers may also have international implications. It sends a message to Russia that the United States may not prioritize its support for Ukraine’s defense. This could embolden Russian aggression and have broader consequences for regional stability. It is essential for the United States to demonstrate a strong commitment to its allies and stand against any threats to international security.
Conclusion
House Speaker McCarthy’s decision to strip the funding for Ukrainian soldiers from the defense appropriations bill and hold a separate vote on the Ukraine aid provision has sparked debate and raised concerns. While it may appease some members of his conference, it raises questions about the commitment of the United States to supporting Ukraine’s defense and may have international implications. It is important for lawmakers to consider the implications for Ukrainian soldiers and the broader regional stability when making decisions on appropriations bills.
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