[81alum]

However, giving the "more responsible but less courageous" Rs a political reason to support military assistance to Ukraine is what is most needed. Constituent pressure can do that. Speeches can generate constituent pressure. I am all for the supporters of whatever party working "behind the scenes" to make it happen. I am also all for the same group working on center stage to make it happen. It is the result that matters.

Many of those Rs believe that Trump will defeat Biden, and Biden's anemic poll numbers reinforce their views.  Why should they risk their careers when they are convinced that the new administration will cut off Ukraine in less than a year?  Ukraine in their minds is already lost, and so there is no reason to "show courage" in a hopeless cause.

To get the Rs in Biden districts, and other residual hawkish Rs on board, Biden will have to start looking more like an 8 year President and Trump will have to start looking like he can't win.  That could happen, but it certainly has not so far. 

In short, the Rs in Congress are behaving very much like Trump and not Biden is the sitting President and likely to be reelected.  Trump is enjoying the benefits usually reserved for an incumbent--at least with his own party.

[81alum]

However, giving the "more responsible but less courageous" Rs a political reason to support military assistance to Ukraine is what is most needed. Constituent pressure can do that. Speeches can generate constituent pressure. I am all for the supporters of whatever party working "behind the scenes" to make it happen. I am also all for the same group working on center stage to make it happen. It is the result that matters.

Many of those Rs believe that Trump will defeat Biden, and Biden's anemic poll numbers reinforce their views.  Why should they risk their careers when they are convinced that the new administration will cut off Ukraine in less than a year?  Ukraine in their minds is already lost, and so there is no reason to "show courage" in a hopeless cause.

To get the Rs in Biden districts, and other residual hawkish Rs on board, Biden will have to start looking more like an 8 year President and Trump will have to start looking like he can't win.  That could happen, but it certainly has not so far. 

In short, the Rs in Congress are behaving very much like Trump and not Biden is the sitting President and likely to be reelected.  Trump is enjoying the benefits usually reserved for an incumbent--at least with his own party.