Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) praised the top House Republican for reaffirming his support of aid to Ukraine.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) told a Russian reporter Monday that he backs aid to the besieged nation and chided that he does "not support your killing of the children either." McConnell used the exchange to cast the GOP as the party of Ukraine.
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"There was a remarkable exchange yesterday when a Russian reporter tried to put false words in Speaker McCarthy's mouth about alleged Republican opposition to helping Ukraine defeat Russian aggression," McConnell said on the Senate floor. "Well, the speaker put him in his place and shut him down."
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell commends Speaker McCarthy’s response to a Russian reporter about aid to Ukraine:
— The Recount (@therecount) May 2, 2023
“Republicans are the party of American strength, at home and abroad — that includes standing up to would-be tyrants who are invading sovereign countries.” pic.twitter.com/AdYy6qcgl5
Fissures have emerged within the GOP over aid to Ukraine, with some, such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), raising questions about the price tag of aid sent. McCarthy previously noted that he doesn't support a "blank check" to Ukraine, and the House Foreign Affairs Committee has scrutinized aid delivered.
A Russian reporter told McCarthy in Israel on Monday that he doesn't support “the current unlimited and uncontrolled supplies of weaponry and aid to Ukraine" and pondered if changes to that policy were on the horizon.
“No, I vote for aid for Ukraine. I support aid for Ukraine. I do not support what your country has done to Ukraine. I do not support your killing of the children either,” McCarthy said in a viral moment. “And I think for one standpoint, you should pull out. And I don’t think it’s right. And we will continue to support."
When a Russian reporter asks him if the U.S. will send more weapons and aid to Ukraine, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy — despite previously saying there should be no “blank check” — says he supports helping Ukraine:
— The Recount (@therecount) May 1, 2023
“I support aid for Ukraine … We will continue to support.” pic.twitter.com/d5Fmr1RNCM
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McConnell has long backed efforts to help Ukraine undercut the Russian invasion. He has seemingly sought to steer his party toward displaying a steadfast commitment to Ukraine as the war rages on half a world away.
"Republicans are the party of American strength at home and abroad. That includes standing up to would-be tyrants who are invading sovereign countries, killing innocent people, and putting the core national interests of the United States at risk," he added.