The Congressional Leadership Fund commissioned three polls in February and March to measure GOP voters’ opinions on US aid to Ukraine in their conflict with Russia. The polls revealed that a majority of voters in battleground districts support various forms of aid for Ukraine, with support highest among those aged 50 and older. Furthermore, a majority of Republicans in safe GOP House seats view Russian President Vladimir Putin as an enemy of the United States and strongly agree that Russia was wrong to invade Ukraine.
The polls also showed that a majority of traditional Republican voters are in favor of providing more aid to Ukraine. Additionally, over half of the GOP voters who identify with former President Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again movement also want assistance to continue. Republicans in red districts strongly support additional funding and protection for US troops stationed overseas, rebuilding US defense industrial capacity, and refilling US weapons stockpiles that have been depleted due to support for Ukraine.
House Speaker Mike Johnson announced plans for standalone funding bills for various national security concerns, including Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific. The bills are expected to include provisions for funding Ukraine in the form of a loan and seizing assets from Russian oligarchs to help pay for the aid. However, the aid package faces opposition from far-right Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has threatened to push for a vote on vacating Johnson’s speakership.
Polls conducted showed that a majority of safe seat GOP primary voters support tighter sanctions on Russia, seizing Russian assets in European banks to fund Ukraine’s war effort, and requiring Ukraine to pay back any funds received from the US. Republican primary voters in red districts feel that additional Ukraine aid will help replenish US weapons stockpiles and rebuild America’s defense industry. However, opinions are split on whether a candidate’s stance on Ukraine aid would impact their likelihood of receiving votes from Republican primary voters.
Overall, the polls indicate that a majority of Republicans, both in battleground and red districts, support providing assistance to Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. The surveys conducted by American Viewpoint for the American Action Network showed that more Republicans believe it is essential to put a check on Putin and send a message to other potential enemies than those who do not. The margin of error for the surveys conducted in safe GOP districts was plus-or-minus 4.4 percentage points, while the battleground district survey had a margin of error of plus-or-minus 3.6 percentage points.
