Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is facing criticism for what he believes the country’s top priority is.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, McConnell said, “Making sure the Defense Department can deal with the major threats coming from Russia and China. Providing assistance for Ukrainians to defeat the Russians is the number one priority for the United States right now according to most Republicans.”
“That’s how we see the challenges confronting the country at the moment,” he added.
Watch the video below:
McConnell: "Providing assistance for Ukrainians to defeat the Russians is the number one priority for the United States right now according to most Republicans. That's how we see the challenges confronting the country at the moment." pic.twitter.com/NPmzWRzoz1
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) December 20, 2022
His comments come roughly 10 months after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine.
But the senator’s assertion did not go over well on Twitter.
Comedian Tim Young tweeted, “It is not a priority at all. There is no poll that says this. McConnell is full of shit and probably getting kickbacks.”
It is not a priority at all. There is no poll that says this. McConnell is full of shit and probably getting kickbacks. https://t.co/RoAKfX9NpY
— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) December 21, 2022
“Let’s send Mitch McConnell to Ukraine,” tweeted conservative commentator Lisa Booth.”
Let's send Mitch McConnell to Ukraine https://t.co/hPA9nP1Hu0
— Lisa Boothe 🇺🇸 (@LisaMarieBoothe) December 21, 2022
Actress Alana Stewart asked, “How out of touch can you be? Americans are trying to feed their families and put gas in their cars. There are 5 million illegal immigrants coming across the southern border. and you think the number one priority is defeating the Russians?”
How out of touch can you be? Americans are trying to feed their families and put gas in their cars. There are 5 million illegal immigrants coming across the southern border. and you think the number one priority is defeating the Russians? #MitchMcConnell #OmnibusBill https://t.co/Y9npuozsiB
— Alana Stewart (@AlanaKStewart) December 21, 2022
Miranda Devine, a journalist at The New York Post, wrote, “You are kidding.”
You are kidding https://t.co/MACLA6J6sC
— Miranda Devine (@mirandadevine) December 21, 2022
“Shouldn’t the number one priority for Congress be the American people who put these elected representatives in office?” asked conservative commentator Ian Miles Cheong.
He quipped, “I didn’t know Zelensky had a vote.”
Shouldn't the number one priority for Congress be the American people who put these elected representatives in office? I didn't know Zelensky had a vote. https://t.co/DGhhTmFI9Q
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) December 21, 2022
Sohrab Ahmari, the founder of Compact Magazine, tweeted, “You should move to Ukraine if want the American government to work for you.”
You should move to Ukraine if want the American government to work for you. https://t.co/pvan98EsWU
— Sohrab Ahmari (@SohrabAhmari) December 21, 2022
According to the Council on Foreign Relations, between Jan. 24 and Nov. 20, the U.S. sent $48 billion in aid to Ukraine.
Polls show Republicans say they support providing assistance to Ukraine, even as it appears their support is declining. A Chicago Council on Global Affairs poll released earlier this month found 55% of Republicans approve of providing military aid, down from 68% in July. Additionally, 50% said they approve of giving Ukraine economic assistance, which was down from 64% in July.
It also found just 33% of Republicans support providing Ukraine with prolonged aid.