Kevin McCarthy’s speaker debacle aids America’s adversaries.
Trans-Atlantic Anxiety: McCarthy’s Ousting Raises Concerns for Ukraine Aid
Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s removal from the speaker’s office has sparked worry on both sides of the Atlantic about the future of aid for Ukraine. This comes at a time when Ukrainian forces are ramping up military pressure on Russia.
“It’s a psychological problem at the moment, with everybody,” a senior European official said, comparing the situation to a basketball game. “It’s halftime, you’re in the locker room, and then the owner comes in saying, ‘Good game, you’re doing a good job, but you know all of our sponsors pulled out.’ It’s absolutely the wrong time to tell this message, but he tells it. But adds, also, that we will work to find someone else.”
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McCarthy lost his position on Tuesday after Rep. Matt Gaetz motioned to vacate the speaker’s office, a motion that passed with the support of a few backbench Republicans and the House Democratic minority. This unexpected coalition dealt a blow that left Republican foreign policymakers frustrated for both partisan and geopolitical reasons.
“We’re focusing on internecine fights that don’t help the Republic; this is a great day for the Democratic Party, courtesy of Matt Gaetz,” said Sen. Roger Wicker, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee. He then cautiously commented on how these events impact Russia and China, stating, “It can’t be anything but aid and comfort to people around the world who wish us ill to see us in such disarray.”
McCarthy’s removal follows a funding dispute last week that resulted in the passage of a short-term bill to continue funding the government, which did not include any new funding for Ukraine.
“We have to keep Ukraine in the fight tonight and tomorrow and the day after,” warned British armed forces minister James Heappey at the Warsaw Security Forum. “And if we stop, that doesn’t automatically mean that Putin stops. It may well mean that Putin takes the opportunity to break through and achieve the aims that he had in the first place.”
Former Vice President Mike Pence also cautioned that “chaos is never America’s friend” during a foreign policy discussion at Georgetown University.
One of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s top lieutenants found amusement in the dramatic display of infighting, although he seemed confused about the nature of McCarthy’s defeat.
“For the first time in the history of the U.S., the Speaker of the House of Representatives has resigned… This is precisely because of his love for the Kiev government and budget compromises,” wrote Kremlin Security Council deputy chief Dmitry Medvedev in a social media post.
President Joe Biden and his administration are working to ease any concerns about the House funding dispute, which resulted in the removal of new Ukrainian aid from a stopgap bill to avoid a government shutdown.
“For quirky budgetary reasons, we weren’t able to pass a general budget or approve the full supplemental that the administration asked for,” explained Philip Gordon, Vice President Kamala Harris’s national security adviser at the Warsaw Security Forum. “I wouldn’t read that as an overall comment on congressional support for Ukraine. Again, to underscore, there is overwhelming and bipartisan support in Congress for Ukraine. I expect it to continue.”
That may be true, as most Republicans agree, but the peculiar budgetary process isn’t going away either, leaving Republicans perplexed.
“I don’t see a path forward in the next 45 days that doesn’t continue inability to fund the federal government in the longer term,” said Sen. Jerry Moran, who sits on the appropriations and intelligence committees. “In their absence of sending us appropriation bills, the Senate can’t send them back. And so this is a real challenge of just really Congress doing its basic work.”
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How does the removal of McCarthy as Speaker of the House impact the United States’ commitment to providing aid to Ukraine?
And emphasized the importance of maintaining stability and unity in times of international challenges. He expressed concern over the potential impact of McCarthy’s removal on the United States’ commitment to providing aid to Ukraine.
The ousting of McCarthy raises concerns about the future of aid for Ukraine, particularly in the face of escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia. Ukrainian forces have been increasing military pressure on Russia, and the timing of McCarthy’s removal is deemed unfavorable by many experts.
A senior European official aptly described the situation as a psychological problem comparable to a basketball game. In the middle of the game, when halftime arrives, the owner unexpectedly enters the locker room and announces the withdrawal of sponsors. The official emphasized that delivering such a message at the wrong time could significantly impact morale. However, the official also expressed optimism, stating that efforts would be made to find someone else to address the situation.
McCarthy’s removal from the speaker’s office occurred after Rep. Matt Gaetz motioned to vacate the office, a motion that received support from a few backbench Republicans and the House Democratic minority. The unexpected coalition dealt a blow to Republican foreign policymakers, leaving them frustrated from both partisan and geopolitical perspectives.
Sen. Roger Wicker, a prominent Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, expressed disappointment at the internecine fights within the Republican Party. He highlighted the significance of these events on a global scale, stating that they provide aid and comfort to those who wish ill upon the United States.
Furthermore, McCarthy’s removal followed a recent funding dispute that resulted in the passage of a short-term bill to continue government funding without any new allocations for Ukraine. This lack of commitment to providing financial support to Ukraine adds to the worries regarding McCarthy’s ousting.
British armed forces minister James Heappey spoke at the Warsaw Security Forum, emphasizing the urgency of continuing to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. He warned that if support were to waver, it would provide an opportunity for Putin to achieve his initial objectives.
Former Vice President Mike Pence also chimed in, cautioning against chaos and emphasizing the significance of stability. He expressed concern that the events surrounding McCarthy’s removal could pose a threat to America’s national interests.
In conclusion, Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s removal as Speaker of the House has raised concerns on both sides of the Atlantic regarding the future of aid for Ukraine. The timing of this development, as Ukrainian forces increase military pressure on Russia, is seen as detrimental to the ongoing efforts to support Ukraine. The impact of McCarthy’s removal on the United States’ commitment to providing aid, stability, and unity is a cause for concern in the face of international challenges.
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