As old allies leave US Congress, Ukraine must find new champions
With headlines about the blue wave in the U.S. midterm elections still dominating front pages a week later, Washington's shifting political mood is creating new challenges for Ukrainian advocates on the Hill. The elections swept away many moderate Republicans who had long served as pillars of bipartisan support for Ukraine in Congress. There will also be changes on the Democratic side of the…
As the blue wave of the U.S. midterm elections recedes, Ukraine's advocates in Washington face new hurdles in their efforts to secure bipartisan support. Many moderate Republicans who once championed Ukraine have been replaced, and some Democrats are also set to leave office. This shift creates three key challenges for Ukraine: engaging progressive lawmakers, navigating potential presidential vetoes, and finding new Republican supporters.
Democratic socialists, who are expected to make up around 20 members in the House, may not prioritize Ukraine or be receptive to military assistance. Progressives attended a recent political conference where Ukraine was not mentioned, and they have called for cuts to defense spending. Additionally, President Trump has vowed to become "Mr.
Veto," and his new Chief of Staff, Stephen Miller, indicates a readiness for confrontation. Democrats may either negotiate with the president or seek Republican support to overcome vetoes, which would require a two-thirds majority in both chambers.
While Ukraine has traditionally relied on pro-Ukraine Republicans, the loss of several key supporters will create a significant gap. The remaining Republicans who backed the bipartisan Ukraine Support Act will not return to Congress, and new champions must be found. Some potential allies include Joe Wilson, Jeff Hurd, Carlos Gimenez, and Andrew Garbarino, who have previously supported pro-Ukraine initiatives and serve on relevant committees.
In the Senate, senators such as Tim Sheehy, John Curtis, and Katie Britt are showing growing interest in Ukraine.
For Ukraine, the new political landscape presents both challenges and opportunities. With the incoming Congress potentially willing to make changes, Ukraine must proactively build new alliances on Capitol Hill to secure its future.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Independent's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
