Washington - Supporters of Ukraine in Congress remain steadfast, despite the omission of President Joe Biden's request for increased security assistance to Ukraine from a bill aimed at keeping the federal government operational. Nevertheless, lawmakers acknowledge that garnering approval for Ukraine assistance is becoming more challenging as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues. Opposition to the aid has been gaining traction among Republicans in Congress.

Recent voting in the House demonstrated potential obstacles ahead. Nearly half of House Republicans voted to remove $300 million from a defense spending bill intended for training Ukrainian soldiers and procuring weapons. While the funds were eventually approved separately, opponents of Ukraine support celebrated their growing influence.

Additionally, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, on Saturday, excluded further Ukraine aid from a measure to fund the government until November 17. This decision effectively closed the door on a Senate package that would have allocated $6 billion to Ukraine, approximately one-third of the White House's request. Both the House and Senate overwhelmingly passed the temporary funding measure, with members from both parties choosing to prioritize avoiding a costly government shutdown over increased aid to Ukraine.

These developments in Congress signal a shift in the unwavering support the United States has pledged to Ukraine in its struggle against Russia. It also illustrates the Republican Party's movement toward a more isolationist stance. The exclusion of Ukraine funding followed a meeting between lawmakers and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who emphasized the importance of additional aid for the ongoing conflict.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer conveyed Zelenskyy's message that "If we don't get the aid, we will lose the war." Despite this, McCarthy, under pressure from the right-wing of his party, shifted his position from "no blank checks" for Ukraine to accusing the Senate of prioritizing Ukraine over America.

In the Senate, both Schumer and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell committed to swiftly pursuing the full White House request for Ukraine assistance. However, it became apparent that achieving this goal would be increasingly challenging, as more GOP senators questioned the aid or demanded it be linked to immigration policy related to securing the southern border, echoing similar demands in the House.

Amid these developments, lawmakers emphasized the need for a conversation with the American public about allocating funds. They expressed optimism after the Ukraine aid was removed from the bill, suggesting that the public is interested in understanding how the money is spent.

Democrats expressed disappointment over the absence of Ukraine funding but remained determined to secure aid for the war-torn country. They underscored the importance of supporting Ukraine for America's security and global democracy.

Pentagon officials expressed concern about the lack of additional funding for Ukraine, emphasizing the urgency of air defense and ammunition needs, given Russia's preparations for a winter offensive.

While some lawmakers supported sending a clear message of U.S. support for Ukraine, they also acknowledged the complexities within their caucus. They indicated that Speaker McCarthy still supports funding for Ukraine but faces challenges from various factions within his party.

In contrast, critics argued that the message being sent by the speaker and former President Donald Trump is one of unreliability, as Trump has called on Congress to withhold Ukraine funding pending the release of information related to the Biden family's business dealings.

To date, the U.S. has approved four rounds of aid to Ukraine in response to Russia's invasion, totaling approximately $113 billion. In August, President Biden requested an additional $24 billion from Congress.

The House's decision to prioritize government funding left the Senate with a choice between a bill lacking Ukraine support and the risk of an extended government shutdown. Lawmakers expressed frustration over the outcome, highlighting the urgency of providing Ukraine with the additional funding it needs to resist Russia.

Despite the challenges, supporters of Ukraine remain committed to securing aid through alternative means and reaffirmed their commitment to the country's security.