Biden claims Republicans could end Ukraine help if they take House after midterms

President Biden suggested on Thursday that Republicans may reduce military aid to Ukraine if they take control of the House after the midterm elections. 

“I am worried about it because they said they would cut it,” Biden told reporters in Pittsburgh.

The president’s remark came two days after House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) warned that the GOP would not write Ukraine a “blank check” if the party gains control of the lower chamber. 

“I think people are gonna be sitting in a recession and they’re not going to write a blank check to Ukraine,” McCarthy told Punchbowl News on Tuesday. “They just won’t do it.”

The US has sent Ukraine more than $10 billion in military aid since Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion.

McCarthy is likely to be elected speaker of the House if Republicans can pick up the required net of five seats on Election Day to regain power after four years in the minority.

A CNBC poll released Thursday found that Republicans lead Democrats by two percentage points on the generic congressional ballot, 48% to 46%. 

A Monmouth University poll released Thursday also found Republicans leading on the generic ballot, with 40% of Americans saying they wanted the GOP in charge and 9% leaning Republican. Democrats received 35% support with another 10% leaning that way.

McCarthy’s office did not immediately respond for a request for comment.