House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said President Joe Biden must learn from the war in Ukraine and send weapons to help Taiwan defend itself in anticipation of a possible conflict with China.
When asked by Fox News Sunday host Mike Emanuel about his criticism of Biden, McCarthy said the early denial of MiGs, heavy reliance on sanctions, and hesitancy to provide military aid to Ukraine were “a wrong action going forward.”
“What we need to do is learn from here, provide the weapons to Ukraine, but also look to the future of what China is doing,” McCarthy said. “Taiwan has been waiting more than a year for weapons they’ve already purchased to defend themselves.”
The Biden administration recently approved a $95 million arms package to Taiwan, the second such deal since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine, which raised fears that China might follow suit with an invasion of the island democracy. Chinese Communist officials, who have claimed sovereignty over Taiwan since their rise to power in Beijing, even though they have never ruled the island, have condemned such sales. China warned that the latest sale would “only push the Taiwan people into the abyss of disaster.”
Republicans such as Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley are demanding that the United States fast-track delivery of weapons to Taiwan. “We must arm Taiwan to defend itself against a Chinese attack as quickly as possible. We can’t wait until it’s too late,” Hawley told the Washington Free Beacon.
McCarthy, a California Republican, also said there remains “strong support” for NATO but called for member nations to pay their fair share.
“Let democracies defend themselves. This is a lesson we should learn today,” McCarthy noted. “We need to make sure these NATO countries spend the money — more than 2%. In Romania, they are spending 2.5%. There is a desire there because they see on the forefront, on their borders, of what is happening.”
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The House minority leader also commented on Biden’s low 33% approval rating per a Quinnipiac poll this week, saying action must be taken to hold him accountable for his policy missteps.
“It’s the wasteful, irresponsible spending that has led to higher prices and inflation. It’s the irresponsible actions of this president along the border that has led to an immigration interventional crisis,” McCarthy said. “It is the irresponsible policies of this administration that has led to dangerous streets, ineffective schools, that has got to stop. It’s got to be more than just to criticize them. What Americans want, need, and deserve, is a clear, commonsense alternative, and that’s what’s happening with the House Republicans.”
McCarthy, who is poised to be voted House speaker should Republicans retake the majority, said the party is united despite having previously stated that members of the GOP have been known to turn on their leaders.
“I’ve never seen our party more united, McCarthy said. “We are not focused on individuals, we are focused on the country first and the policies.”
He added that he is not overconfident in predicting numerous GOP victories in the midterm elections, noting that 31 Democrats are retiring because “they are not even agreeing with their own policies.”
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“What we find in the Republicans is that we will have a very clear, commonsense alternative that will secure the border, make us energy independent, give it a fiscal policy to stop runaway inflation, to have our parents have a say in our kids’ education,” McCarthy said. “I believe America is united when you look at the polls from independents, Democrats, and Republicans alike. They want a new direction.”
