Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are reacting to the historic, wartime address from the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as the war against Russia continues. The president came to Washington, DC, to thank Americans, but also to call for continued support from the US — something US President Joe Biden has reiterated during the visit.
Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell said Zelensky “was inspirational as usual” tonight in his address
“This is so important, the most important thing is to beat the Russians in Ukraine,” he said. “Fortunately, they have a leader that everyone can look up to and admire. And also, it’s nice to have something here at the end of the year that we all actually agree on”
Senate Minority Whip John Thune said Zelensky “made the case for why American resolve is critical to the success of Ukraine,” which in turn is critical to “the broader success of freedom and democracy all around the world.”
Thune said that while listening to Zelensky, he could “feel the intensity for his country and people and their desire for freedom and democracy,” and called it “inspiring.” He added that Zelensky’s speech “came from the heart.”
GOP Sen. Cynthia Lummis, who has voted against Ukraine aid in the past, emerged from Zelensky’s speech saying she felt it was “wise” for him to “thank every American family” before thanking the Congress, to recognize “it’s the sacrifice of the American families and the American people that makes this money available to them.”
She said she’s opposed funding because it’s “coming out of taxpayers’ pockets” and she’s been advocating to use International Monetary Fund special drawing rights to provide the funding to Ukraine.
“(The Ukrainians) are worthy, they are noble they are fighting their hearts out to save their country and their people and the sacrifice they’re making is just incredible,” she said. “I wish that we were being smart about sourcing the funding for them.”
