Republican group launches $1 million ad campaign urging GOP to back additional Ukraine aid
Cami Mondeaux
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A conservative-backed group is launching a $1 million campaign urging House Republicans to support additional aid to Ukraine despite adamance from hard-line conservatives to halt financial assistance to the war-torn country.
Republicans for Ukraine launched the ad campaign on Monday, which scores each GOP member in Congress based on his or her past statements and support for Ukraine amid an invasion from the Russian military. Those scores will be used in ads that will air in lawmakers’ local districts, according to the group.
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“Now is a pivotal time for Americans, especially Republicans, to support Ukraine,” Gunner Ramer, national spokesman for Republicans for Ukraine, said in a statement. “For just 5% of our annual defense budget, America has helped Ukraine destroy half of Russia’s army and liberate its territory and people. That’s a great return on investment for American national security.”
The ad blitz calls on Republicans to support President Joe Biden’s request for an additional $40 billion toward Ukraine, which the group said is crucial to support the country’s ally. The 30-second ad hit is set to air during all four major Sunday talk shows over the weekend, as well as during the second GOP primary debate on Sept. 27.
The campaign also includes mobile billboards outside the district offices of five House GOP leadership members, including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN), GOP Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY), and Republican Policy Committee Chairman Gary Palmer (R-AL).
The mobile ad features testimony from GOP voters calling on the representatives to back additional aid to Ukraine.
The campaign comes as several hard-line conservatives have established Ukraine aid as a redline amid the government spending fight, prompting stalled negotiations less than two weeks ahead of the Sept. 30 deadline. As a result, the 31-day continuing resolution proposal announced on Sunday does not include any military funding or financial assistance to Ukraine.
Republicans have no plans to include Ukraine aid in their proposed stopgap spending bill making its way through the lower chamber, even as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to visit the country this week, McCarthy said on Monday.
Zelensky is set to arrive on Tuesday for his second visit to the United States since Russia invaded Ukraine early last year. The Ukrainian president is expected to meet with congressional leaders such as McCarthy, the speaker said, although it’s unclear whether Zelensky will address Congress at large.
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During his visit, Zelensky will also meet with the White House to thank U.S. leaders for their assistance while making his case for increased aid as the war-torn country staves off an invasion from the Russian military.
Since the invasion began in February 2022, Congress has approved roughly $43 billion in military assistance. Now, the White House is requesting an additional $24 billion in aid that is not connected to the country’s annual spending bill — a request that has put both chambers at odds as they attempt to avert a government shutdown later this month.