House Republicans Pressure Biden to Make Major Policy Shift

House Republicans are pressing President Biden to remove restrictions on advanced weapons for Ukraine, potentially altering the course of the ongoing conflict with Russia.

At a Glance

Top House Republicans urge Biden to lift restrictions on Ukraine’s use of U.S. weapons against Russia.
GOP members argue current policy hinders Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
Proposal includes allowing use of Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) for deep strikes in Russia.
Biden administration hesitant due to concerns about escalating tensions with nuclear-armed Russia.
Democrats also support easing restrictions on Ukraine’s use of U.S.-provided weapons.

Republicans Push for Expanded Weapons Use

In a bold move, leading House Republicans have called on President Biden to reverse a policy that currently prevents Ukraine from using American-made weapons for deep strikes inside Russian territory. This push comes as the conflict in Ukraine continues to escalate, with GOP members arguing that the existing restrictions are hampering Ukraine’s ability to defend itself effectively against Russian aggression.

The letter, signed by prominent Republican Representatives including Mike Rogers, Michael McCaul, Mike Turner, Ken Calvert, Thomas Kean, and Richard Hudson, emphasizes the need for Ukraine to have access to advanced weaponry, particularly the Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS). These long-range missiles could potentially allow Ukraine to target Russian military assets far behind the front lines.

Administration’s Cautious Approach

The Biden administration has thus far resisted changing its policy, citing concerns about potentially escalating tensions with nuclear-armed Russia. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has stressed the need to carefully consider various factors before providing additional weapons capabilities.

Critics of the current policy argue that there are no “red lines” left for Kyiv to cross, given Russia’s extensive use of force. They point out that past pressure has led to policy changes, such as allowing strikes over the border after Russia invaded Ukraine’s Kharkiv region.

Bipartisan Support for Policy Change

Interestingly, the push to ease restrictions on Ukraine’s use of U.S.-provided weapons has garnered support from both sides of the aisle. Democrats, including Senator Ben Cardin and Representative Bill Keating, have also voiced their support for reconsidering the current limitations.

The Republicans argue that the conflict will only end when tougher sanctions and Ukraine’s battlefield successes convince Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate. They believe that allowing Ukraine to use advanced weapons systems like ATACMS could significantly change the dynamics of the war.

Potential Impact on the Conflict

Advocates for lifting the restrictions argue that using Western weapons could help Ukraine target Russian airbases and prevent the use of glide bombs, potentially altering the balance of power in the conflict. They also note that Ukraine’s previous use of U.S.-provided weapons in Russia and its military incursion into Russia’s Kursk region did not trigger a significant escalatory response from Moscow.

Republicans press Joe Biden on Ukraine weapons restrictions https://t.co/rjkiyVlQUb

— The Hill (@thehill) September 11, 2024

As the debate continues, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed his belief that long-range weapons could indeed change the course of the war. With both Republicans and Democrats calling for a reconsideration of the current policy, all eyes are now on the Biden administration to see how it will respond to this growing pressure for change in support of Ukraine’s defense efforts.