Colorado Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (R-CO) is among a group of nearly a dozen far-right Republicans who have co-sponsored a House resolution that calls for an end of all U.S. military and financial aid to Ukraine.
The resolution, which was introduced by Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) earlier this month, claims that by providing aid to Ukraine, the U.S. is “inadvertently contributing to civilian casualties.” Tens of thousands of civilians have died and millions more have fled Ukraine since Russia started its full-scale invasion of the country on Feb. 24, 2022.
A total of 10 MAGA Republicans, including Boebert and Georgia’s Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), signed on as co-sponsors of the so-called “Ukraine Fatigue Resolution.” In addition to ending all military and financial aid, the non-binding resolution calls on all combatants to reach a peace agreement.
“President Joe Biden must have forgotten his prediction from March 2022, suggesting that arming Ukraine with military equipment will escalate the conflict to ‘World War III,’” Gaetz said in a statement on February 9, mischaracterizing Biden’s quote, which referred to sending American troops, not equipment.
He further criticized the unchecked spending of U.S. taxpayer dollars toward a foreign war as this would “exacerbate” domestic issues during a time when, as he stated it, America is in a “state of managed decline.” Since the start of the war, the U.S. has approved several Ukrainian aid packages totaling more than $112 billion.
Boebert for her part has been a vocal opponent of providing additional aid to Kyiv without stronger oversight. After attending Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s address in front of a joint meeting of Congress in December, the congresswoman said she would withhold her support for additional aid until Congress receives a full audit.
Boebert told The Denver Post last month that “we don’t know where that money is going.”
Georgia Congresswoman Greene said during a Fox News appearance last week that she plans to introduce a resolution that would require an audit of all Ukrainian aid. Greene has been another outspoken critic of the President Biden’s unwavering support of Ukraine.
“Under Republicans, not another penny will go to Ukraine. Our country comes first. They don’t care about our border or our people,” she said during a rally for former President Donald Trump in Iowa in November.
While there’s concern over potential misuse and corruption as it relates to Ukraine aid, the continued support of Kyiv remains a top bipartisan priority. The opposition of several far-right members flies therefore in the face of the Republican leadership.
“Reports about the death of Republican support for strong American leadership in the world have been greatly exaggerated,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said in a speech to the Munich Security Conference this month. “Don’t look at Twitter, look at people in power. Look at me and Speaker Kevin McCarthy.”
Democratic Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) singled out Republicans who want to end U.S. support for Ukraine during a recent floor speech, saying those are the same members who are trying to destroy American democracy.
“While there will come a time for diplomacy, right now, Ukraine must fight for its existence. And right now, despite what these pro-Putin Republicans say, it is in our interest to continue to support Ukraine,” he said.
But despite the strong bipartisan support for Ukraine, the American public is showing some war fatigue. A recent Associated Press-NORC poll showed 48% of American adults are in favor of providing weapons to Ukraine. That’s down from 60% in May. Among likely Republican voters, support for sending weapons to Ukraine has weakened even more, down to 39% from 53% in May.
President Biden made a surprise visit to Kyiv last week to underscore Washington’s support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia. And while this resolution is not expect to get the necessary votes needed, it further highlights the divide within the GOP.
Boebert’s office did not respond to a request for comment. This article will be updated with any response received.
