Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) assured European allies that Republicans are committed to the Ukrainian war effort while calling on NATO members to do the same.
McConnell told national security leaders at the Munich Security Conference on Friday that the voices in his party calling for reduced aid to the conflict in Ukraine are outweighed by party leadership’s continued support. Some conservative lawmakers have said the United States should stop spending money on the war until domestic problems such as the federal deficit are dealt with.
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“Reports about the death of Republican support for strong American leadership in the world have been greatly exaggerated. My party’s leaders overwhelmingly support a strong, involved America and a robust trans-Atlantic alliance,” McConnell said in Germany. “Don’t look at Twitter, look at people in power. Look at me and Speaker Kevin McCarthy.”
McCarthy (R-CA) opposes a “blank check” for Ukraine aid, partly a reflection of the slim House majority he’ll have to navigate over the next two years. He’ll have to win over Ukraine skeptics such as Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Matt Gaetz (R-FL) in any aid package.
In his remarks, McConnell said, “Republican leaders are committed to a strong trans-Atlantic alliance. We are committed to helping Ukraine.” He also took a jab at President Joe Biden, saying the GOP is often more supportive of strong involvement with NATO than his administration.
McConnell ended by calling on NATO and the European Union to bolster their own investments in the conflict.
“America’s friends on this continent must mirror the resolve and reciprocate the commitment that you hope to see from us,” he said.
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Both McConnell and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) are in Munich Friday for the conference, each accompanied by a partisan delegation of senators. The trip comes just days ahead of the one-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine.
A bipartisan delegation is being led by Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC).
