Senator Michael Bennett (D-Colo.) has said he'd be willing to bring on a partial government shutdown if Congress does not approve new rounds of aid spending for Ukraine in the 2024 budget.
In an interview with NBC News’ ‘Meet the Press’ on Wednesday, Mr. Bennett said he would “be willing” to block a deal to fund the U.S. government if the deal doesn’t also include new spending to assist Ukrainian forces fighting on the ongoing war with Russia. The Colorado Democrat said a partial government shutdown may “be necessary, to make sure that we get people’s attention” on supporting Ukraine.
“I hope it doesn’t come to that, but if it does, I certainly will be willing to shut the government down over this issue,” Mr. Bennett told the network.
Funding for Ukraine has been a contentious issue throughout the 2024 budget process. The government was on track for a partial shutdown at the start of the new fiscal year on Oct. 1, but lawmakers managed to pass a short-term funding deal, known as a continuing resolution (CR), on Sept. 30. The CR, which provides government funding through Nov. 17, did not include specific funding for Ukraine.
Republicans Split on Ukraine Funding
While Mr. Bennett has insisted that an eventual 2024 budget must include new spending for Ukraine, some Republican lawmakers have indicated they would hold out against any budget agreement that does include such aid. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) is one such lawmaker who described new funding for Ukraine as a “red line” that would stop her from supporting any budget agreement.
While Democrats are largely united in favor of sending aid to Ukraine, the Republican Party remains sharply divided on the issue.
Last week, 117 House Republicans voted against a new $300 million package to provide new weapons and military assistance to Ukraine, while 101 House Republicans joined 210 Democrats to vote in favor of the new aid package.
The division over Ukraine aid could run right down the center of the House Republican conference as they decide on the next speaker. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) have both launched speakership bids. Mr. Scalise voted in favor of the $300 million Ukraine aid package, while Mr. Jordan voted against the funding.
On Wednesday, Mr. Bennett told NBC’s “Meet the Press” that the decision to oust Mr. McCarthy from the speakership made it “a billion times harder” for Congress to appropriate more money for Ukraine, but insisted Congress “can’t fail” to keep up the support.
