Pelosi Pledges Even More Ukraine Aid

Nancy Pelosi is in Croatia despite mid-term elections being just two weeks away. You would think that she would be on the campaign trail somewhere on behalf of an endangered Democrat or out raising money (her legendary superpower), but, no. She went overseas to attend an international forum aimed at supporting Ukraine’s independence against Putin’s invasion. In Zagreb, Croatia on Tuesday Pelosi promised that Congress will include more aid for Ukraine in the annual government funding bill.

The timing of that pledge is notable, given the tension between factions in both political parties. Both Democrats and Republicans are split on continuing to provide financial support for Ukraine at a time when Americans have plenty of financial worries, thanks to Bidenflation and the coming recession. Did Joe Biden or anyone in the White House give approval to Pelosi to make that promise at this time?

But it’s unclear whether she can actually make that happen amid growing opposition to additional Ukraine aid from House Republicans and a recent push from within her own caucus to jumpstart diplomatic engagement with Russia.

“Congress has secured over $60 billion in security, economic, humanitarian and budget assistance for Ukraine,” Pelosi said in Croatia at the first parliamentary summit for Ukraine’s Crimea platform. “And more will be on the way when we pass our omnibus funding bill this fall.”

Her pledge came after House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., indicated in an interview last week that the House would be less likely to pass generous Ukraine aid packages should his party win the November midterm elections.

“People are going to be sitting in a recession, and they’re not going to write a blank check to Ukraine,” McCarthy told Punchbowl News. “Ukraine is important, but at the same time it can’t be the only thing they do, and it can’t be a blank check.”

Perhaps she’s throwing her weight around for one last time in Europe before she is no longer in her current position of power. Republicans are set to win back a majority in the House and Pelosi will likely retire rather than accept being just another senior Democrat among others in the House. She’s 82-years–old, for heaven’s sake. it’s time for her to retire and enjoy time with her family and friends. I, for one, will be happy to wish her good riddance.

Billions of dollars in financial and military aid have gone to Ukraine, thanks to the generosity of American taxpayers. It’s all worthwhile if Putin is soundly defeated and we can hail Ukrainian President Zelensky as the hero we think he is for fighting for his country’s freedom. There are questions, though, of transparency and accountability for all of the financial support that has been sent to Ukraine. Ukraine was a notoriously corrupt country before Putin’s invasion. Remember, a Ukrainian energy company was paying Hunter Biden millions of dollars to sit on its board though he has absolutely no experience in the energy industry. Hunter was selling access to his politician father and the Ukrainians were happy to pay. Allegedly.

The last financial aid package received Congressional approval just last month.

Congress in March approved its first $13.6 billion Ukraine supplemental aid package. Lawmakers tripled that funding in May through a $40 billion package of military, economic and food aid for Ukraine and U.S. allies, with 57 House Republicans and 11 GOP senators voting against it. The third $12.35 billion Ukraine aid package was passed last month as part of the continuing resolution to fund the government through December 16.

While McCarthy, hoping to be the next Speaker, may be bowing to the most conservative members of the House, like those in the House Freedom Caucus, McConnell has pledged that a Republican-led Senate will continue to support Ukraine without interruption.

“A Republican majority in the Senate will focus its oversight on ensuring timely delivery of needed weapons and greater allied assistance to Ukraine,” McConnell wrote.

He argued that the Biden administration and NATO “need to do more to supply the tools Ukraine needs to thwart Russian aggression.”

“It is obvious this must include additional air defenses, long-range fires and humanitarian and economic support to help this war-torn country endure the coming winter,” he wrote in the statement.

Meanwhile, Pelosi lectured that Iran supplying Russia with drones to target Ukrainian infrastructure is a “big mistake.” The United States and Western allies have accused Russia of using Iranian-made drones to attack civilians and power plants in Ukraine. Iran denies the accusation. It’s distinctive triangle-shaped drones, however, have been seen.

“First of all, we have to be able to counter the drones,” Pelosi said at a joint press conference with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic. “It is a dangerous technology and it must be stopped.”

Big talk for a woman with one foot out the door. Maybe she should leave the saber-rattling to the Secretary of Defense or the State Department. Pelosi needs to be defeated and sent packing before she starts huffing and puffing somewhere else.