(Presidentialwire.com)- Seven Republican lawmakers silently protested Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky by remaining in their seats after numerous standing ovations during his trip to Congress, according to Newsweek.
Zelensky was warmly welcomed during his first foreign visit since the start of the war with Russia on February 24. Speaking before Congress, Zelensky reportedly thanked Congress and the American people for their support of Ukraine during their times of hardship.
While many Democrats and Republicans alike encouraged Zelensky and stood for him numerous times throughout his speech, a few Republicans appeared less impressed. Representatives Matt Gaetz, Lauren Boebert, Andrew Clyde, Diana Harshbarger, Warren Davidson, Michael Cloud, and Jim Jordan remained seated.
https://twitter.com/AndrewSolender/status/1605728975220867073?s=20&t=TagrWLQ_m5cKlJOd_kbJEA
But the Republicans did eventually stand at some moments.
Washington Post reporter Leigh Ann Caldwell tweeted that during one of the standing ovations, Rep. Jordan stood and encouraged Clyde to do the same. But Clyde reportedly mouthed “I’m not. I’m not,” while shaking his head no.
During the latter part of Zelensky’s address, they then all reportedly stood up.
Boebert has come out against the U.S.’s additional $45 billion in aid to Ukraine that was included in the $1.7 trillion omnibus bill.
https://twitter.com/RepBoebert/status/1605736487152017408?s=20&t=A9d2J0mMnU4Xwq0UADBWGA
Congress recently released the $1.7 trillion spending bill, giving lawmakers just a couple of days to read all 4,155 pages and vote on it to get it on President Biden’s desk before the government shut down on Friday, according to American Pigeon.
The bill would reportedly fund the government through September 2023 and support domestic and military spending. Some of the provisions included in the bill have been starkly criticized by conservatives, who took to social media to highlight some of the most egregious spendings.
Some provisions in the bill include another $45 billion in aid to Ukraine; $1.43 billion for membership in “global multilateral organizations”; $47 billion for the National Institutes of Health; and $76 billion more in military spending.
What is not included in the bill is an extension of child tax credits for American families or money for the security of the southern border. But countries like Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Tunisia, and Oman will receive $410 million for their border security.
