House Armed Services Committee Chair Adam Smith (D-Wash.) said that some Republicans’ push for more oversight of Ukraine support “makes me a little crazy,” according to Defense News.
“Ukraine is spending the money really well; that’s why they’re winning,” he added. “Yes, we need oversight, but we don’t need that as an excuse to not fund what we’re doing.”
When Republicans take control of the House in a few weeks, it will give more power to some who have begun to question the amount of money and weapons the U.S. has sent to the region since Russia invaded Ukraine in February. In the early months of the war, support was overwhelmingly bipartisan.
At the same Reagan National Defense Forum, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said he expects Republicans will continue to support the administration’s Ukraine aid requests.
“But I think you’ll find bills to make the aid more transparent [and] account for the weapons,” Graham said. “You’ll be finding efforts by me and others to get Germany and other allies to do more. Because it’s easier for me to go back home and say, ‘Listen, if you don’t think Ukraine is important, you’re missing the boat. Because China is watching everything we do.’”
Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jensen Stidham
