On Wednesday, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky addressed Congress in Washington, but only 86 out of 213 Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives were in attendance.
During his speech, Zelensky thanked the US for its support and requested more heavy weapons, including tanks and aircraft, for Ukraine.
However, some Republicans, such as Representative Lauren Boebert (R-CO), have been calling for more transparency in regards to the aid provided to Ukraine.
Boebert, who attended Zelensky’s speech, said in a video message on Twitter, “Sadly, what I didn’t hear tonight was a clear explanation of where the first $50 billion we sent to support their efforts went.”
She added that she would “not support sending additional money to this war” until an audit was completed.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), who led the effort for the bill to audit aid to Ukraine, was among those who did not attend Zelensky’s address. Greene tweeted on Wednesday, “The American taxpayers are literally paying to prop up many countries all over the world in foreign aid, but America is virtually crumbling before our eyes.” She also pointed out that families in her district were struggling with rising food prices while the US was concerned with providing funds to Ukraine.
Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) described Zelensky’s speech as “more of the theater” used by the Democrats to convince voters that the funds designated for Ukraine would “just be magically created out of thin air.”
Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), who is challenging Rep. Kevin McCarthy (CA) for House Speaker, tweeted, “No more blank checks to Ukraine” in the lead up to Wedesday a press conference. “Zelensky says $45 billion in aid from the U.S. is not enough. Not enough? What is enough? Enough with all of this.”
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), tweeted, “Why is Ukraine funding buried in the bill that averts a shutdown of our own government? Why was previous Ukraine funding linked to hurricane disaster relief for Florida? Why is Zelensky speaking to Congress tonight? Because Americans are growing very weary of funding this war.”
Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH) said he didn’t think Zelensky should be speaking from the House floor: “We should be focused on trying to contain the war, not expand the war. And this kind of sends the message we’re kind of OK with expanding the war. And I think we should be sending a different message,” Davidson said. “He’s dressed more for the auditorium, so he should be talking to us down there.”
