Congressional Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) is introducing a resolution that seeks to display a bust of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the U.S. Capitol.
“Resolved, That the House of Representatives directs the Fine Arts Board to obtain a bust of the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, for display in a suitable, permanent location in the House of Representatives wing of the United States Capitol,” reads the resolution.
Wilson has been a lawmaker in the House for over 20 years.
The U.S. has spent billions of dollars backing Ukraine as it has continued its fight against Russia’s invasion of the country.
Wilson posted on social media in December that Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people alike “fully understand the meaning behind the American Revolution mottos of Don’t Tread On Me and Live Free or Die,” and that “The United States stands with Ukraine for victory.”
around the world. They fully understand the meaning behind the American Revolution mottos of Don’t Tread On Me and Live Free or Die. The United States stands with Ukraine for victory. (2/2)
— Joe Wilson (@RepJoeWilson) December 21, 2022
As he addressed a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress, Zelenskyy insisted that the money he is taking from American taxpayers “is not charity” but rather “an investment in the global security and democracy that we handle in the most responsible way.”
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), who has been a longtime critic of U.S. involvement in Ukraine’s war with Russia, reacted to Zelenskyy’s words, posting, “It is not charity. Charity would be given freely. The American taxpayers have been conscripted into making welfare payments to this foreign government.”
It is not charity. Charity would be given freely. The American taxpayers have been conscripted into making welfare payments to this foreign government. https://t.co/74GPrhZqgS
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) December 22, 2022
Previously, the congressman had said online, “I’m in DC but I will not be attending the speech of the Ukrainian lobbyist.”
A $1.7 trillion omnibus spending bill approved by Congress last month that was thousands of pages long allocated billions of dollars to Ukraine.
Zelenskyy appears to get along with many prominent members of the GOP establishment, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (KY) and Rep. Kevin McCarthy (CA). The Ukrainian president has been seen photographed with McConnell before and also recently tweeted a message of congratulations to McCarthy for his election as House Speaker.
Continuing our support for Ukraine is morally right, but it is not only that. It is also a direct investment in cold, hard, American interests. pic.twitter.com/zlWoAVz3Kk
— Leader McConnell (@LeaderMcConnell) December 24, 2022
