U.S. Representative Victoria Spartz, the first and only Ukrainian-born member of Congress, recently cast a vote against a $61 billion aid package for her native Ukraine, sparking a flurry of reactions given her unique perspective. Spartz, who has been an early advocate for supporting Ukraine in its war with Russia, has cited the need for better oversight of U.S. funds and prioritized border security as more pressing issues.
The decision aligns Spartz closely with the conservative base of the House Republicans and appears to be a strategic alignment with the sentiments of her deeply conservative central Indiana congressional district, where she faces a tough reelection in the May 7 GOP primary. Notably, Spartz had announced over a year ago that she would not seek another term, a declaration she reversed later on, adding another layer to her complicated re-election campaign.
During a recent interview, Spartz expressed her concerns, saying, “My responsibility is the protection of American people,” and rejected the notion that her Ukrainian heritage should compel her to support the aid package if she believes the funds could be misused. Her stance is somewhat reminiscent of the broader conservative sentiment, which has recently shifted focus from international support to domestic issues, such as U.S. border security.
Campaign rhetoric in Indiana’s 5th district has emphasized border concerns, with Spartz’s primary opponents, including state Representative Chuck Goodrich, who is the most well-funded, attacking Spartz on her initial support for Ukraine by claiming she put “Ukraine first.” Goodrich has highlighted the importance of border security by saying, “Every state is a border state,” referencing the influx of illegal drugs through the southern border.
The aid package that Spartz voted against included assistance not only for Ukraine but also for Israel, Taiwan, and other global hot spots. The bill was approved by the House on April 20, passed by the Senate, and subsequently signed into law by President Joe Biden.
Despite her controversial stance on the Ukraine aid, Spartz remains a significant figure in her district. In 2020, she secured a primary win with nearly 40% of the vote following an endorsement from Donald Trump and ran unopposed in the 2022 primary.
Spartz, who immigrated to the U.S. in 2000, has spoken passionately about the Ukrainian struggle, even describing Russia’s invasion as a “genocide” in a news conference in 2022. However, she has also expressed criticism towards Ukrainian leaders, including President Volodymyr Zelensky, for their handling of the situation.
In the Sheridan interview, Spartz said “brave people” are “dying for freedom” in Ukraine but accused the Ukrainian government of corruption.
Relevant articles:
– This congresswoman was born and raised in Ukraine. She just voted against aid for her homeland, apnews.com, 04/29/2024
– Congresswoman voted against Ukrainian aid despite being born and brought up there, Firstpost, Mon, 29 Apr 2024 08:16:59 GMT