Congress held hostage

• Published date: 15 April 2024
• Publication title: Irish Times (Dublin, Ireland)

Western allies and Kyiv are entreating the US to free the cash. And a majority of Americans – 58 per cent, according to a recent poll – favour sending more economic aid and weapons to Ukraine. In congress the vast majority of Democrats and most Republicans back the package which could well sail through on a bipartisan vote. When it is put to a vote

Yet, such is the power of Speaker of the House Mike Johnson that he has been able to avoid putting it to a vote for fear of being toppled by a clique of Trumpite right-wingers who oppose more funding for Ukraine.

Some insist that the war is unwinnable and that the US should simply force Ukraine to sue for peace – Trump says it should cede the Donbas and Crimea in exchange for a ceasefire, and promises he would seek to impose such an outcome as president. Others claim the US cannot afford to fund Ukraine, or are explicit supporters of Putin and...