Conservative Coalition Lobbies Against Tens Of Billions In Ukraine Aid During Lame-Duck Session

A coalition of conservative activist organizations urged Congress to reject additional aid to Ukraine in the lame-duck session.

The conservative groups wrote to Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), the likely next Speaker of the House and current Speaker Nancy Pelosi, urging them to “not rush to pass another large aid package for Ukraine during this lame-duck session.”

The groups stressed that any new aid package for Ukraine must be fully debated and examined before being voted on by the 118th Congress.

This includes Americans for Prosperity and FreedomWorks.

These groups claimed that increasing aid to Ukraine would cause a “moral Hazard,” which would result in European countries contributing “lackluster amounts” to Ukraine.

Washington’s obvious fiscal and legislative concerns aside, it is strategically unsound to not link Ukraine’s aid with matching agreements with Europe. The United States’ massive amounts of financial, humanitarian and military aid have created a clear moral risk. This has led to disappointing contributions from America’s wealthy European allies in the very region where the war is occurring. Even ignoring the $50 billion proposed, the United States contributed more to Ukraine aid than the European Union and its member countries in 2022. The United States contributed more to Ukraine than many countries in Central and Western Europe when aid is a percentage of GDP.

According to conservative groups, Congress should demand from the Biden administration that it declare its strategic goals for the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

It would be a huge mistake to rush another large aid package to Ukraine without first determining which end-state our expenditures will go. After having already drained our treasuries, and emptying our armies of difficult-to-replace weaponsry, Congress must demand clear answers by the Biden administration regarding its goals in Ukraine. They should also explain how aid will help them move beyond vague allusions to a decisive Ukrainian win which it doesn’t believe Kyiv can achieve.

On Tuesday, President Joe Biden requested more than $37 Billion in emergency assistance to Ukraine. According to reports, Congress may be working on a $50 Billion aid package for Ukraine during the lame duck session.

The Congress has allocated roughly $66 billion to Ukraine’s military, economic and humanitarian aid; groups stated that adding $50 billion would increase this amount to $116 billion.

These groups stressed that the total would surpass any country’s annual defense budget.

The groups stated that “that alone should require substantial discussion and a standalone vote.”

The groups stated in their letter that “pushing through another aid package during the Congress’ lame duck session without much debate or consideration of the will for the American people” would be a disregard for legislators’ responsibilities towards U.S. interests. “The 118th Congress should swear in before any further discussions on Ukrainian aid are held, so these important issues can be fully debated by officials who better reflect the will of the American people.”