US Republicans consider a loan program for Ukraine aid – NBC
Some US Republicans and House Speaker Mike Johnson, have thought of developing a loan type of Ukraine aid package, NBC News reports.
Speaker Johnson and the chairmen of key House committees dealing with national security are working on package that Congress can pass without alienating Republican conservatives who oppose further funding.
Three sources told NBC News that the plans are in the preliminary stages and are far from fully formed. Republicans who support Ukraine want to be ready to take up the legislation as soon as Congress votes on March 22 to fund the operation.
Ukraine aid issue may be postponed until April, as Congress will go on a scheduled two-week recess at the end of March.
The Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Mike McCaul and Senator Lindsey Graham says one of the proposals being put forward is to consider a portion of non-military aid to Ukraine in the form of a loan.
This option is envisioned specifically for US financial assistance to support Ukraine and its long-term reconstruction efforts.
Russian assets confiscated by the US government through sanctions could also be used as collateral for the loan, McCaul said.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that "a loan is possible in foreign aid." However, he suggested that Ukraine is not one of the countries that needs it.
"When you're dealing with a country that's fighting for its life like Ukraine… talking about loans instead of providing the cash infusion that's needed will only make the economic problems of this country worse," he said, adding that a stable Ukraine "is in the fundamental national security interest of the United States."
A US official familiar with the White House's position told NBC News on March 8 that "some assistance is better than none, but this is not the ideal way to do it."
The Foreign Assistance Package passed by the Senate in February "is still the best way forward," the official said. Speaker Johnson was briefed by the CIA director last week and is therefore "well aware of how dire the situation is in Ukraine right now."
According to the two sources, if the House postpones the foreign aid bill until April, Republicans will have time to finalize several key primaries. This could free up additional GOP support for funding for Ukraine.
