Patricia Zengerle
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The fight to raise the U.S. debt ceiling reignites debate in Congress over funding Ukraine , House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said Tuesday that he has no immediate plans to introduce legislation to increase defense spending beyond the agreement reached last week.
McCarthy’s comments could herald a tougher road ahead for Congress when President Joe Biden next demands additional funding for Ukraine. The last time the House and Senate approved aid — $48 billion — to the Kiev government was in December, when Republicans took control of the House.
The money is expected to last at least until September 12, the end of the fiscal year. Lawmakers said Biden was expected to request more funding by August or September.
Debt ceiling deal signed into law by Biden on Saturday caps national security spending for year through September
, 2024 is 886 billion, which is the amount Biden is asking for, but less than what the hawkish defenses in Congress want.
After some Republicans threatened to vote against the deal over defense spending cuts, Senate Democratic and Republican leaders pledged that the cap would not prevent the Senate from passing supplementary spending legislation for Ukraine and the Defense Department Provide more funding.
However, McCarthy, who negotiated a deal with Biden, said he would not automatically allow a vote on supplemental spending legislation in the Republican-led House.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s Ukraine or any other country. The idea that someone wants to add to the deal we just made is trying to undermine it,” McCarthy told reporters at the Capitol. “
Some Senate Republicans disagree
However, some Republican Senators still say they believe a supplemental spending bill is necessary.
Sen. Susan Collins, the top Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee, told reporters, “I strongly believe that we will need supplemental defense.”
McCarthy said he supports Ukraine and helps Ukraine defeat a Russian invasion, but in Need more info before moving forward.
“I’m not giving money for the sake of giving money. I want to see what the purpose is, what is the outcome you want to achieve, and then show me the plan to see if I think it’s actually doable? He said. Lawmakers will work on an appropriations bill this summer to fund government programs for the fiscal year beginning Oct. Provided more than 48 US$ in military aid and other assistance to Ukraine since the 48 invasion in March. Despite Democrats controlling both Houses of Representatives All approved, but all four tranches of aid passed with strong Republican and Democratic support.
