House Democrats anticipate a vote on Ukraine aid following the avoidance of a government shutdown.
House Democrats Expect Ukraine Aid Vote After Passing Short-Term Spending Bill
Leaders of the House Democrats said they “expect” House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) to queue up a Ukraine aid vote following the passage of a short-term spending bill that averted a government shutdown.
Joint Statement by House Democratic Leadership
The joint statement, released by the office of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) on Saturday, was quickly referred to as a “side deal” with Democrats by some Republicans who opposed the 45-day continuing resolution.
“When the House returns, we expect Speaker McCarthy to advance a bill to the House Floor for an up-or-down vote that supports Ukraine, consistent with his commitment to making sure that Vladimir Putin, Russia and authoritarianism are defeated,” the joint statement said. “We must stand with the Ukrainian people until victory is won.”
The statement was issued by Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA), Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (D-CA), and Vice Chair Ted Lieu (D-CA).
The House passed a 45-day continuing resolution without more aid for Ukraine — which is more than a year and a half into a conflict to fend off Russian invaders — by a 335-91 vote. The Democrat-led Senate approved it, and President Joe Biden signed the bill on Saturday night. The stop-gap legislation gives lawmakers time to come to an agreement on spending various parts of the federal government in the new fiscal year.
The House Democrat leadership statement prompted a firestorm on social media, although it remains unclear what the House would do next when it reconvenes.
“Wow. [McCarthy] made a side Ukraine deal with Democrats and didn’t tell House Republicans until after his Continuing Resolution passed. More deceit,” said Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) in a post to X. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) shared a public letter that urged McCarthy to “call for peace talks before you request more funding for a country that is not our own.”
Gaetz, while appearing on Sunday morning talk shows, also said he would move for a no-confidence vote against McCarthy that could lead to his ouster as speaker in the coming week, citing multiple gripes with the leader, including the Ukraine matter.
As noted by Fox News reporter Jacqui Heinrich, McCarthy “needs” support from Democrats to overcome any motion to vacate, and they are “making an ask now that McCarthy bring a Ukraine bill to the floor.”
Biden has asked Congress for roughly $24 billion in additional military and humanitarian assistance tied to the Ukraine conflict on top of the roughly $113 billion previously allocated.
What was the vote margin for the 45-day continuing resolution?
vote margin on Friday. The continuing resolution was necessary to prevent a government shutdown as the previous funding expired at midnight on Friday.
The joint statement by House Democratic leadership expressed their expectation that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy would promptly bring a bill supporting Ukraine to the House floor for a vote. This expectation is based on McCarthy’s commitment to defeating Vladimir Putin, Russia, and authoritarianism. The Democrats emphasized their solidarity with the Ukrainian people and their determination to support them until victory is achieved.
However, some Republicans have criticized the statement as a “side deal” with Democrats. These Republicans, who opposed the 45-day continuing resolution, argue that it does not provide additional aid to Ukraine, which has been facing aggression from Russian forces for over a year and a half.
The joint statement was issued by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, and Vice Chair Ted Lieu. These Democratic leaders are notable figures within their party and their statement carries significant weight within the House.
The House passed the 45-day continuing resolution with a 33-vote margin. This temporary measure allows for the government to continue operating while more permanent funding is negotiated. However, the lack of additional aid for Ukraine in the resolution has sparked debate and criticism.
The expectation of a Ukraine aid vote following the passing of the short-term spending bill highlights the significance of the issue within Congress. Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia has been a point of concern and debate among lawmakers for several years. The House Democrats’ call for support reflects their commitment to standing with Ukraine and countering Russian aggression.
The focus now shifts to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and whether he will fulfill the Democrats’ expectation by bringing a bill supporting Ukraine to the House floor. This potential vote will continue to attract attention and scrutiny, particularly from those who support increased aid for Ukraine.
Overall, the joint statement by House Democratic leadership underscores their determination to support Ukraine and their expectation that the issue will be addressed following the passage of the short-term spending bill. The outcome of this expected vote will shape the ongoing discussions and actions surrounding Ukraine’s conflict with Russia, demonstrating the significance of the decision for both domestic and international stakeholders.
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