As lawmakers prepare to pass a budget that includes more than $45 billion in new military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will allegedly pay an in-person visit to Congress on Wednesday in his first foreign trip since the war began, Fox News report.
The Ukrainian president is expected to address Members of Congress to praise them for their support – as Ukraine fights off an unprovoked invasion by Russia- but also to argue that more help is needed since the war is by no means won.
Zelensky’s visit comes as the Senate is slated to take up President Biden’s $1.7 trillion spending bill- which includes over $45 billion in additional aid to Ukraine- this week with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky) underscoring that, according to most Republicans, the No. 1 priority for the United States right now is to provide assistance for the Ukrainians to defeat the Russians.
Not everyone in GOP is on board, however, with some lawmakers such as Rep. Thomas Massie arguing that the additional Ukraine funding is improper without greater accountability.
He proposed that they should have a separate vote on the additional funding – which would bring Washington’s commitment to war over the $110 billion mark- since most of his constituents disagree with having their money sent to Ukraine, especially not without oversight or an audit.
Although the White House has declined to confirm or comment on Zelensky’s visit, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi – who told reporters she doesn’t know if that’s going to happen- has allegedly sent a letter asking all members to attend in person on Wednesday for a very special focus on Democracy.
According to CNN, Zelensky is also supposed to meet with President Biden at the White House, but it all depended on security concerns, as explained by the two sources familiar with the planning underway the network cited.
Citing multiple senior leadership sources, on the other hand, Axios added that the Capitol Police was already preparing security arrangements for the potential visit.
Be the first to comment