Nine House Republicans are demanding information on U.S. taxpayer funds spent on security and support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to an ammunition factory in Pennsylvania over the weekend — clearly irked that the visit seemed to benefit Democrats in a swing state.
“If taxpayer dollars were used to facilitate this visit in a way that may violate federal laws or ethical guidelines, it is essential that Congress and the public receive a full accounting of those expenditures and the motivations behind the visit,” the lawmakers, led by Rep. Lance Gooden (R-Texas), wrote in a letter released Tuesday.
Zelenskyy, who’s attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week and is due to visit Capitol Hill on Thursday, made the Sunday visit to the factory in Scranton, Pennsylvania to thank the workers who are producing one of the most critically needed munitions for his country’s war with Russia.
However, he was flanked by Democratic officials like Gov. Josh Shapiro, Sen. Bob Casey and Rep. Matt Cartwright, and the latter two face competitive reelection bids. And Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are neck-and-neck in the critical swing state. Trump and some other Republicans have been bearish about providing additional aid to Ukraine in their ongoing war.
The Ukrainian leader will be on Capitol Hill on Thursday for a bipartisan meeting with senators hosted by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Zelenskyy has further raised eyebrows this trip by calling Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance “too radical” in an interview with The New Yorker and saying “the idea that the world should end this war at Ukraine’s expense is unacceptable.” Vance has been particularly vocal about ceasing additional aid to Ukraine.
The nine Republican lawmakers raised concerns that Zelenskyy flew in a C-17 military aircraft and received Secret Service protection during his visit, though foreign leaders routinely fly in U.S. military aircraft while traveling within the United States. They directed their request for information to the inspectors general of the Defense and Justice departments.
Zelenskyy hailed “the dedication of the workers, which is truly inspiring — they are helping Ukraine stand strong in our fight for freedom” in a post following his visit to the factory.
Casey told POLITICO on Tuesday he was unaware of how the visit came together. But he said it was important as the U.S. continues to support Zelenskyy’s Ukraine in its war with Russia.
“I was damn proud he was there,” the Pennsylvania Democrat said. “Those workers have been making those shells and saving a lot of lives on the battlefield in Ukraine, so we’re very proud of those union workers in Scranton.”
