U.S. Rep. Steve Womack is among 10 Republican congressmen being targeted by a group urging them to break ranks with party leaders in the House and force a vote on sending more financial support to Ukraine.
A group called Republicans for Ukraine said today it is running a one-minute digital ad in the congressmen’s districts. The spot, called “No Weakness in the Face of Aggression,” features Republican voters voicing concern that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could lead other countries, such as China, to invade their neighbors.
The U.S. Senate approved a $95.3 billion foreign aid package last week that includes military aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan in a 70-29 vote. (Sen. John Boozman voted yes; Sen. Tom Cotton voted no.) But the bill is in danger of stalling in the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson has been reluctant to bring it up for a vote.
Republicans for Ukraine wants Womack and the other congressmen to sign a discharge petition, a parliamentary maneuver that would bring the bill to a vote in the House without the speaker’s approval. Johnson has said he doesn’t favor the bill because it doesn’t address border security measures, even though an earlier such proposal from a bipartisan group of senators was shot down by Republicans.
The group is pressuring Womack because he is a “staunch supporter of Ukraine” and has spoken favorably about providing the country with continued aid. Earlier this month, Womack said this to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette:
“America has always been a leader in helping grow Democratic institutions around the globe,” he said. “And to me, it is a matter of national security because if Putin is able to do what he does uncontested in Ukraine, then who’s next? Does he turn his sights on Poland? And in so doing, does he create an Article 5 issue for the NATO members?”
Other Republican congressman being targeted with the ads are Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, Ken Buck of Colorado, Mike McCaul of Texas, Mike Rogers of Alabama, Mike Turner of Ohio, Don Bacon of Nebraska, Jake Ellzey of Texas, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Dan Crenshaw of Texas.
A review of Republicans for Ukraine’s report card, last updated in October, showed Womack with a grade of “A.” Among other Arkansas congressmen, Rep. Rick Crawford received an “F ,” Rep. French Hill received a “B” and Rep. Bruce Westerman received an “A.”
The ad says it was paid for by Defending Democracy Together, which a spokesperson said is a 501(c)(4) organization that is not required to disclose its donors.
Womack, who was first elected to Congress in 2012, faces state Sen. Clint Penzo in the Republican primary next month. Johnson, the House speaker, has endorsed Womack.
