House turmoil may threaten Ukraine aid

The US House of Representatives will try to elect a new speaker next week but with the infighting among Republicans in the House, that isn't a certainty, and concern is mounting at the White House and the Pentagon about funding for Ukraine.

The House convened briefly Wednesday and then went into recess. It will try to elect a speaker to succeed Kevin McCarthy who was ousted from office on Tuesday.

The next speaker could quash more Ukraine aid before a proposal reaches the House floor if that person opposes the idea.

Republican opponents of aid to Ukraine in the House and the Senate view it as excessive spending and a misplaced US policy priority.

So far, House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise have both announced that they will run for speaker.

Jordan has made clear his opposition to additional Ukraine aid and reiterated it Wednesday. "The most pressing issue on Americans' minds is not Ukraine, it is the border situation and crime on the streets and everybody knows that," Jordan told reporters.

Last week, Scalise voted to fund $300 million for a program that provides Ukrainian troops with training on the use of American-made weapons systems.

President Joe Biden expressed confidence on Tuesday that the aid he requested in July for Ukraine would eventually be approved, but on Wednesday he expressed fears that the turmoil in Congress could hamper aid to Ukraine.

Currently, the Pentagon has $1.6 billion to fund replenishment of weapons stocks sent to Ukraine. But the Biden administration has the authority to send $5.4 billion worth of weapons to Ukraine. The White House said on Tuesday that current funding levels would last about two more months.

Biden suggested there was an alternative source for Ukraine funds but didn't explain what he meant. The White House declined comment.

Reuters reported a method that has been used in the past involves the reprogramming of funds, a tool used to shift funds around within Pentagon accounts to meet urgent needs.

Biden asked Congress in July to approve $24 billion more for Ukraine, which Ukraine supporters — Republicans and Democrats — had hoped could become law as part of a spending bill.

McCarthy lost his post just three days after he led the House to pass a stopgap spending measure to prevent a partial government shutdown and to keep it running through Nov 17. But that bill included no new money for Ukraine, highlighting the reluctance of some members of his caucus to back Ukraine funds.

Republicans in both chambers are emphasizing the need for more aid for Ukraine, but also pushing for funds to address security at America's southern border. Those lawmakers say one doesn't have to come at the expense of the other.

"To those who say we need to fix our border, you're right," South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said on CBS' Face the Nation on Sunday. "To those who say we need to help Ukraine, you're right. To those who say we need to do the border, not Ukraine, you're wrong."