Staff Reports
In a decisive and assertive move, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy promptly refuted Representative Matt Gaetz's groundless accusation that he had engaged in a secret arrangement with President Biden regarding Ukraine funding. McCarthy unequivocally dismissed the claim, stating, "There's no side deal. So I don't know who's bringing that up." His response carried a tinge of exasperation as he continued, "There is no side deal on Ukraine."
Clearly irked by Gaetz's persistent attacks, McCarthy pushed back against the fellow Republican's concerted efforts to unseat him from his leadership position. "If people want to play politics with it, let's play politics with it. But I'm just going to do what I think is best for the American public and let it rest," McCarthy asserted, making his frustration evident.
While McCarthy acknowledged that discussions had occurred concerning Ukraine funding in the context of passing a stopgap spending bill, he made it abundantly clear that no commitments had been made regarding a new aid package. According to the speaker, his sole commitment was to ensure that the funds allocated for Ukraine in last year's funding bill would continue to be disbursed during the 45-day period of temporary funding that averted a potential government shutdown.
Addressing the allegations head-on, McCarthy stressed, "I said in some way, if the continuing resolution doesn't do that, we'll fix that. It's something we do all the time." In contrast, Gaetz, who is fervently trying to remove McCarthy as speaker, accused him of making a "secret side deal" with Democrats to secure their support for the stopgap bill.
Gaetz contended that McCarthy had promised Democrats that he would subsequently schedule a separate vote to allocate additional funds to Ukraine. President Biden appeared to allude to something similar when asked about his trust in McCarthy's commitment to future agreements. Biden cryptically responded, "We just made one about Ukraine, so we'll find out."
Kevin McCarthy balks at accusations of a ‘side deal’ with Biden on Ukraine funding https://t.co/FCh76Rt0tV pic.twitter.com/YTuRclDjAK
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) October 3, 2023
Undaunted by the mounting pressure, McCarthy affirmed that Gaetz's attempt to oust him from the speakership through a "motion to vacate the chair" would not succeed. According to McCarthy, it was the passage of the temporary spending bill, reliant on Democratic votes, that prompted Gaetz to launch this campaign against him.
While expressing satisfaction with the stopgap measure, McCarthy did express disappointment that House Republicans had failed to pass a more conservative alternative. Nevertheless, he remained steadfast in his commitment to key priorities such as curbing wasteful spending, countering "wokeism," and enhancing border security.
Regarding the possibility of removal, McCarthy disclosed that he had not yet engaged in discussions with House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries or any other Democrats about Gaetz's threat. Reiterating his dedication to the institution over personal or partisan interests, McCarthy cautioned against allowing one individual to divide the GOP conference.
With his customary blend of confidence and determination, McCarthy rejected Gaetz's unsubstantiated allegations and firmly stood his ground. Regardless of the outcome, it is evident that the speaker remains resolute in his determination to act in the best interests of the American people.
