[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] As the U.S. Republican Party prepares to take control of the House, it has announced plans for stringent scrutiny of the 'Ukraine budget bill.' Starting next year, when the Republicans regain the majority in the House, it is expected that the Ukraine aid budget bill will face repeated delays in the House.
On the 27th (local time), Michael McCaul, the Republican ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, appeared on ABC's "This Week" and pointed out that the support bill for Ukraine was presented to Congress on the day of the budget vote, saying, "The members were given only a few hours to review the entire pages of the (support) bill."
He added, "The Republicans will not handle the (Ukraine budget bill) in that manner," emphasizing, "Now that we also have a voice, we will operate in a responsible and transparent way."
The U.S. Republican Party has officially stated that military and economic support for Ukraine will undergo more rigorous scrutiny as they prepare to take control of the House. The Republicans have argued that the Democrats' Ukraine aid budget has not been used appropriately and that strict oversight is necessary.
However, McCaul expressed disagreement with some Republicans who argue that support for Ukraine should be completely cut off, reaffirming the need for bipartisan military assistance.
Mike Turner, the Republican ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, who appeared on the broadcast alongside McCaul, also acknowledged the need for support while calling for responsible management. Turner said, "We do not need to pass the Democrats' $40 billion budget to deliver $8 billion to Ukraine."
This pointed to the fact that although the Democrats have allocated a large budget under the name of Ukraine support, the actual amount used for aid is less and is not managed transparently.
McCaul further explained, "If you ask whether this direction means a weakening of our willingness to support the Ukrainians, it does not," adding, "It means we will do it in a responsible way."
With the Republicans securing the majority in the House following the U.S. midterm elections held on the 8th, there has been speculation about potential changes in support for Ukraine. At that time, some Republicans declared they would not provide a blank check for Ukraine. Because of this, there have been forecasts that the Democrats' proposed Ukraine budget bill is less likely to be passed as originally planned.
The war in Ukraine, which began in February, is dragging on as a war of attrition. As the prolonged conflict has made weapons supply capacity a key factor that could change the course of the war, the Republicans' stance is drawing attention, according to political media outlet The Hill.
According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, a German think tank tracking international support for Ukraine, the total amount of funds the U.S. has provided to Ukraine since Russia's invasion amounts to $52 billion.
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