House Democrats have faced criticism for waving the Ukrainian flags in the chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives during a vote to approve $60 billion in aid for Ukraine’s defense.
The move drew ire from several Republican lawmakers and conservative figures, who accused Democrats of prioritizing Ukraine over the United States. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky took to social media to express his discontent, labeling the gesture as “disgusting.”
The controversy arose after the House passed a spending package allocating $60 billion to aid Ukraine so that it could wage war against Russia. The package, part of a larger $95 billion foreign aid plan that also includes additional assistance for Israel, received mixed reactions among lawmakers.
During the vote, some Democrats began passing around Ukrainian flags, prompting criticism from Rep. Marc Molinaro of New York, who deemed the display inappropriate and a violation of House protocol. His remarks were echoed by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida urged her colleagues to refrain from waving flags other than the American flag in the House Chamber.
Republican lawmakers voiced their disapproval on social media. Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona accusing House Democrats of prioritizing Ukraine over pressing issues facing the United States, such as national debt and border security.
The incident also drew criticism from Nicole Shanahan, the running mate of independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who expressed concern about the allocation of funds to Ukraine while domestic issues persist.
The display of the Ukrainian flag during the House vote has sparked debate over the appropriate representation of national symbols in the legislative chamber, highlighting divisions over foreign aid and domestic priorities among lawmakers.
