Why Elise Stefanik's vote against security aid for Ukraine matters

Source: MSNBC

Why Elise Stefanik’s vote against security aid for Ukraine matters

Elise Stefanik is the only House GOP leader in contention for Donald Trump’s ticket. She's also the only GOP leader who opposed security aid for Ukraine.

April 22, 2024, 9:22 AM EDT
By Steve Benen

While there are some Republicans in Congress who’ve been accused of siding with Russia in its war with Ukraine, House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik has not been among them. In fact, after Vladimir Putin launched his invasion of his neighbor, the New York congresswoman largely blamed her own country’s president, before also denouncing Russia’s authoritarian leader.

“I join the American people in praying for the safety of innocent Ukrainians as they endure an unwarranted and unjustified invasion by a gutless, bloodthirsty, authoritarian dictator,” Stefanik wrote in February 2022. “Vladimir Putin is a war criminal and deranged thug. We must stand with democracies under assault.”

Two years later, the House Republican leader no longer appears quite so eager to stand with a democracy under assault. The Washington Post reported on the vote tally as the House approved security aid for Ukraine over the weekend.

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I won’t pretend to be able to read Stefanik’s mind, though it’s worth noting for context that she’s currently the only House GOP leader in contention for Donald Trump’s 2024 ticket, which has led her in some highly unfortunate directions in recent months as part of an intraparty race to the bottom. She was also the only House Republican leader who sided with the far-right against security aid for Ukraine.

Read more: https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/elise-stefaniks-vote-security-aid-ukraine-matters-rcna148773