McCaul: "We’re not going to write a blank check" to Ukraine, vows continued support
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) told ABC's "This Week" on Sunday that the upcoming GOP-controlled House will continue to pass support for Ukraine but will do so with more "accountability," adding that Republicans are "not going to write a blank check" for Ukraine.
Why it matters: Threats by Republicans to cut aid to Ukraine if they won control of the House in the midterms prompted concern among Ukrainian officials, with decreased aid having the power to significantly hurt Ukraine's efforts and alter the course of the war.
- McCaul's words echo those of House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) — currently aiming to become the next House speaker — who said last month that Republicans wouldn't "write a blank check" to Ukraine at a time of economic recession.
- Earlier this month, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) vowed that "not another penny" would go to Ukraine under a Republican-controlled House.
What they're saying: "We are going to provide more oversight, transparency and accountability. We're not going to write a blank check," McCaul said of Ukraine aid going forward.
- McCaul criticized the lack of time given to review the bill before a floor vote, and that just a portion of the $40 billion aid package was meant for Ukraine military aid. “Republicans are not going to rule like that,” he said.
- "We're going to do this in an accountable way, with transparency to the American people. These are American taxpayer dollars going in. Does that diminish our will to help the Ukrainian people fight? No, but we're going to do it in a responsible way," he added.
- "The issue, obviously, is we don't need to pass $40 billion, large Democrat bills that have been passed, to send $8 billion to Ukraine," Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) said, who joined McCaul on the program.
- "What we’re going to do — and it’s been very frustrating, obviously, even to the Ukrainians where they hear these large numbers in the United States as a result of the, you know, burgeoned Democrat bills and the little amount of aid that they receive. We’re going to make certain they get what they need," Turner added.
The big picture: Both McCaul and Turner were adamant that U.S. support for Ukraine would continue in the Republican-controlled House.
- "I think the majorities on both sides of the aisle support this effort," McCaul said.
- "We're going to make certain they get what they need," Turner said.
- Turner highlighted the need for the U.S. to work with partners to supply Ukraine with an "air defense system they can put together to defend Kyiv, to defend their infrastructure."
- McCaul voiced support for providing Ukraine with longer-range weapons.
Editor’s note: This story has been corrected to reflect Rep. Michael McCaul criticized the process behind congressional aid packages to Ukraine, not the aid packages themselves.
