Biden "Concerned About Reducing Ukraine Support if Republicans Win Midterm Elections"

Appeal for Democratic Party Support... Republicans Lead in Polls
McCarthy, Republican House Leader, "Will Not Write a Blank Check"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] U.S. President Joe Biden has publicly expressed concern that if the Republican Party takes control of the House of Representatives in next month's midterm elections, support for Ukraine could be cut off. So far, polls predict that the Republicans will regain the majority, and there are also forecasts that both parties will reduce support for Ukraine after the midterms, considering concerns about a domestic economic recession in the U.S.

According to CNN on the 20th (local time), President Biden, while visiting Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to promote the Infrastructure Law, responded to reporters' questions about whether he was worried that the Republicans would reduce support for Ukraine if they win the midterm elections by saying, "I am concerned because they have said they will cut support," appealing for Democratic support.

President Biden’s public expression of concern over a reduction in Ukraine support under Republican control is interpreted as a direct response to remarks made earlier by Kevin McCarthy, the Republican House Minority Leader. In an interview on the 18th, McCarthy sparked controversy by suggesting a cut in support, saying, "If the Republicans win the House, we will not write a blank check to Ukraine."

Within the U.S., there are many isolationist-leaning Republican lawmakers who prioritize domestic economic issues and advocate for a reduction in foreign policy spending. Therefore, there are concerns that if the Republicans take control of the House majority, the budget for Ukraine support will be drastically reduced. According to The Hill, 11 Republican senators and 57 House members opposed the $40 billion Ukraine aid package approved in May.

In the midterm elections scheduled for the 8th of next month, 34 of the 100 Senate seats and all 435 House seats will be newly elected. So far, U.S. polls predict that the Republicans will take the House by a narrow margin of about 10 seats. However, since there are many battleground states, it is difficult to accurately predict the outcome.

When asked whether he expects the Democrats to maintain the Senate majority, President Biden said, "I think so," emphasizing, "It’s not over until it’s over." He also stated that he has received requests to visit 16 to 18 key battleground states, including Nevada and Georgia, and is considering those visits.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.