WASHINGTON – Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell blasted on Wednesday the military spending levels set in the new law on debt limits, intensifying a growing standoff between Senate Republicans House Speaker Kevin McCarthy before the appropriations discussion.
“All I can say at this point is that defense is underfunded in relation to the Chinese threat. McConnell said reporters that Ukraine will probably need additional help. “So, figuring out what to do is going to be challenging.”
McConnell (R-Ky.) was answering a question regarding McCarthy’s rejection of the possibility for a supplemental package to aid Ukraine. When asked about the idea on Monday, the speaker said “no”.
“We have just done our entire bill in terms of the debt.” McCarthy said that if your first step is to say “I need a supplement,” you are not paying attention. The senators don’t understand how the system operates. We will follow the process of appropriation and use the numbers we agreed upon. The idea that they are going to get around it will not work.”
The division reflects a wider intra-party conflict over America’s global role — the traditional security hawks, who prefer higher military spending and assistance to allies, are up against the hard-right wing which prioritizes government spending cuts and is sour on the U.S. becoming involved in foreign affairs like Russia’s Ukraine war.
McConnell is firmly in the first camp, which reflects the feelings of most Senate Republicans, while McCarthy represents the ultraconservatives who are in the second camp and punch above their weight in the House GOP Conference.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., at the White House on May 16, 2023.
Ting Shen / Bloomberg via Getty Images file
McCarthy and Joe Biden negotiated a new law that establishes an increase in defense spending of about 3% over current levels to $886 billion by fiscal year 2024. McConnell, along with other Senate Republicans, have objected that the level is too low. However the Senate minority leader voted in favor of the bill anyway to avoid a default.
McCarthy’s opposition to a supplemental has left some people in a state of dismay.
“I disagree with this conclusion,” said Roger Wicker, Mississippi’s top Republican senator on the Armed Services Committee. “But, it’s not surprising that, after just selling the agreement, he would want it to be upheld. “At least initially.”
Many Senate Republicans are pushing for an additional package that doesn’t have to adhere to “caps” in order to spend more on the military than the amount allotted by the debt ceiling legislation.
Wicker replied: “Let’s decline to negotiate publicly about it.” When asked if Ukraine assistance could come from the $886 billion defense budget to adhere to McCarthy’s redline, Wicker said:
Susan Collins, Maine’s top Republican member of the Appropriations committee, argued for the need of a separate budget “not only for Ukraine but also for fuel costs, which were grossly understated in the Administration’s budget, and the threat posed by China.”
There are a number of reasons why we will need a supplement. Collins said that he didn’t know when or how the supplemental would be needed.
Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas), a Navy veteran and supporter of Ukraine, says the state of the war when appropriations are made will be important. This could soften the opposition to aid, whether through an augmentation or increased military spending.
“Many people say many things. It will be interesting to watch how the Ukrainian counteroffensive plays out. “I think it will be difficult to vote against people trying to gain freedom when this happens,” Gonzalez said. It’s essential to the American spirit that we help those who are fighting against tyranny or those who have invaded our country.
The Democratic Senate leaders have also supported a broad aid package for Ukraine, giving the GOP hawks greater leverage in the debate.
Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) said Congress could combine Ukraine aid with a larger supplement that also includes disaster relief.
I think it’s a given that we will have to do an additional disaster supplement, unless there are no natural disasters this year. “I don’t believe there is much doubt that we will do a Ukraine supplement as well.”
This could cost Republicans dearly, because Democrats are looking for “parity”, which means boosting domestic non-defense funding as part of the appropriations act if military spending increases.
Schatz stated that “parity is the key to success.” “And this is how we will get everyone to hate the bill a bit and pass it,” Schatz said.
