Kevin McCarthy signals Republicans could withhold more aid to Ukraine if they win the House: 'It's not a free blank check'

• Sending more aid to Ukraine would be difficult under GOP control of Congress, McCarthy said.
• "It's not a free blank check," the House minority leader told Punchbowl News.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy expressed skepticism about sending more aid to Ukraine if Republicans take back the House in the upcoming midterm elections.

"I think people are gonna be sitting in a recession and they're not going to write a blank check to Ukraine," the California Republican told Punchbowl News in a report published Tuesday.

"They just won't do it," he continued. "It's not a free blank check."

While "Ukraine is important," GOP concerns about the border and other domestic policies also carry weight, McCarthy added.

The comments signal that bipartisan support for funding to Ukraine against Russia's invasion could be waning. Over the past eight months, the US has delivered more than $60 billion in military, economic, and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.

Historically, the president's party performs poorly in midterm elections, and recent polling shows Republicans well-positioned to win the House majority. Should the GOP flip control, McCarthy has said he's confident he'll win the votes of the House Republican conference to become the next speaker.

Also on the potential chopping block if Republicans win is additional funding for COVID-19 relief, McCarthy told Punchbowl News.