Top House Republican opens probe into Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Scranton Army Ammunition Plant

U.S. House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer launched an investigation Wednesday into Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit on Sunday to the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in Lackawanna County. 

Kicking off a U.S. tour to shore up support for Ukraine in its war with Russia, Zelenskyy met with state officials, including Gov. Josh Shapiro, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey and U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright. Zelenskyy also spoke with workers at SCAAP, a manufacturer of 115-millimeter howitzer rounds used by Ukraine.

Comer, a Republican from Kentucky, is among nine House Republicans demanding information on U.S. taxpayer funds spent on security and support for Zelenskyy’s visit – alleging the visit interfered in the 2024 presidential election. The investigation, which comes as Democrats Casey and Cartwright face competitive reelection bids in the commonwealth, is in keeping with GOP opposition to funding Ukraine’s war efforts: former President Donald Trump and several Republicans have questioned providing additional aid to Ukraine. 

Comparing the visit to the scandal that led to Trump’s first impeachment, Comer said the move could also have been an “abuse of power” by the Biden-Harris administration. 

"The Committee seeks to determine whether the Biden-Harris Administration attempted to use a foreign leader to benefit Vice President Harris’ presidential campaign and, if so, necessarily committed an abuse of power," Comer in his letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, adding that the House Oversight Committee "believes no foreign actor – whether or not deemed ‘malign’ by DOJ – should be permitted to interfere in American elections." 

The nine House Republicans expressed similar concerns about the use of public funds for the visit. 

“If taxpayer dollars were used to facilitate this visit in a way that may violate federal laws or ethical guidelines, it is essential that Congress and the public receive a full accounting of those expenditures and the motivations behind the visit,” the GOP lawmakers, led by Rep. Lance Gooden, a Republican from Texas, wrote in a letter released Tuesday. No member of the Pennsylvania congressional delegation – including House Oversight Committee member Scott Perry, a Republican facing re-election – signed on to the letter. 

“There is no necessity – ever – for a U.S. C-17 military aircraft to fly President Zelensky to Pennsylvania in what can only be described as election interference, where the Biden-Harris administration is trying to convince Pennsylvanians to support Kamala Harris,” Perry said in a statement. “This reprehensible and gross misuse of our military resources demands investigation – at the least.”

GOP lawmakers have raised concerns that Zelenskyy flew in military aircraft and received Secret Service protection, even though foreign leaders often fly in U.S. military aircraft while visiting. 

Casey responded in a statement pushing back on the investigation: “The Scranton Army Ammunition Plant is playing a critical role bolstering Ukraine’s forces, and I was honored to join President Zelenskyy to thank Pennsylvania workers for helping defend democracy. Attempts to smear his visit to our Commonwealth are an insult and a disgrace.”

Shapiro, who also signed an agreement with the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia to establish an economic partnership, said the commonwealth “proudly stands with the people of Ukraine as they fight for their freedom against naked aggression.”

“I’m proud to welcome President Zelenskyy and his delegation to Scranton – to visit with the women and men who are fueling his country's fight for freedom – and sign an agreement with Zaporizhzhia that will strengthen both states and foster collaboration for years to come. Pennsylvania looks forward to building a close relationship with Zaporizhzhia as we continue to stand on the side of freedom,” Shapiro said in a statement following Sunday’s visit. 

The Shapiro administration noted that this month, more than 150 soldiers from the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team deployed to Germany supporting the Joint Multinational Training Group – Ukraine. The task force is currently training Ukrainian forces in combined arms and maneuver training for battalion-sized units. 

“Training is key to Ukraine’s continued success on the battlefield,” Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, the commonwealth’s adjutant general and head of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, said in a statement. “Our Pennsylvania National Guard soldiers are in Germany, away from their families and loved ones in support of this mission. They, along with more than a thousand other PANG members, are currently serving overseas in support of our nation and its responsibility to operations around the globe. We are proud of their commitment and thankful for their service.”