Gaetz and Boebert were spotted scrolling through their phones and refusing to clap or stand for Zelensky as he addressed Congress on Wednesday.
Republican U.S. Representatives Matt Gaetz and Lauren Boebert refused to applaud or stand for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his in-person address to Congress.
The Ukrainian president received a standing ovation from an overwhelming majority of lawmakers when he entered the House chamber on Wednesday night. Boebert and Gaetz were among the few who did not applaud Zelensky as he made his way to the podium, according to a tweet from Punchbowl News founder Jake Sherman.
Zelensky said that Ukraine was « alive and kicking, » thanked the American people for their support and urged unity during the speech. His visit to Washington came as a $1.7 trillion omnibus spending bill, which includes $45 billion in aid to Ukraine, was making its way through Congress.
Boebert and Gaetz, who both oppose additional aid to Ukraine and have called for investigations into previous aid, were also spotted apparently scrolling through their phones as Zelensky delivered his speech.
