Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s reported death in a Russian prison may give GOP lawmakers even more resolve to go against their congressional leaders — and presidential candidate Donald Trump — in forcing a vote on Ukraine aid.
Republican lawmakers on Friday emphasized just how high the stakes are. And in several interviews on Thursday — even before news of Navalny’s death broke — members who support more military assistance to Ukraine wouldn’t rule out defying House Speaker Mike Johnson to get a vote on the matter.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul compared Putin’s intentions to Adolf Hitler’s and raised concerns that he will “not stop with Ukraine.” And Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina said “history will not be kind to those in America who make apologies for Putin.”