Don't Let House Republicans Abandon Ukraine

The National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act was passed by the Senate in a 70-29 vote early Wednesday morning. The bill provides $95 Billion worth of funding for the advancement of American interests in Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan. Roughly $60 Billion of the $95 Billion included in the package is specifically designated for American support to Ukraine. After weeks of delay and obstruction by members of the GOP, this national security bill would extend a much needed lifeline to Kyiv as the Ukrainian military reports a growing shortage of ammunition and equipment in recent months. Additionally, passing the bill would signal the United States’ willingness to defend its allies in Europe by giving Ukraine the tools it needs to defeat Russia. House Speaker Mike Johnson blocked the bill during in the House of Representatives and refused to bring it to a vote.

Among the bill's loudest opponents were Senators JD Vance and Mike Lee, both of whom spoke during Senator Rand Paul’s 125 hour filibuster. Senator Paul complained that the bill would send money directly to a “corrupt regime”. Beyond his willingness to mischaracterize Zelensky’s government and ignore a decade’s worth of progress on Ukrainian anti-corruption reforms, this claim misrepresents what American security assistance to Ukraine looks like. According to a breakdown of the bill released by the Senate Appropriations Committee the vast majority of the funding allocated towards Ukrainian security assistance comes in the form of contracts between the Department of Defense and American manufacturers. This will be used to replenish stocks of munitions and equipment already sent to Ukraine, revitalize American defense manufacturing, and promote job growth throughout the United States. The only form of funding extended to the Ukrainian government is $13.8 billion in Foreign Military Financing (funds that still stay in U.S. hands) intended for use in purchasing American military equipment. Given that the national security package includes $8 million for oversight by the Department of Defense Inspector General, the notion that this funding is untraceable or unaccountable is laughable.

Either Rand Paul hasn’t read the bill or he’s deceiving the public, in both cases he is compromising America’s and its allies security. Senator Vance has already shown his willingness to sabotage the interests of the United States of America in the name of MAGA politics by claiming that the national security package is part of a larger future plot to impeach Donald Trump. 

We all know the reason behind all of this is a performance for one man: Donald Trump. Just look at the about face from Senator Lindsey Graham. You can see in his tweets from March 2022 and March 2023, he was fully committed to supporting Ukraine and clearly understands the importance of doing so:

What happened? He explained it all on the Senate floor on Sunday when he said, “I talked to President Trump today and he’s dead set against this package. He thinks that we should make packages like this a loan, not a gift.”

Republicans continue to bow to Trump and work against the national security interests of the United States. Their loyalty is to a man, not to the Constitution. I do not know how to make it any clearer than that.

A year ago, President Biden promised to support Ukraine for “as long as It takes”. As our allies in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia face renewed threats from Russia, Iran, and China, it is crucial that the United States of America stands by its commitments and gives its allies the tools they need to win, but that is looking dubious because it is not what Donald Trump wants. The House is now in recess for two weeks. Speaker Johnson abruptly called the recess in order to prevent a discharge petition that would have allowed a floor vote on the bill sent by the Senate.

I wish I had something more positive to say, but the reality is things are bad and getting worse. Whatever you are doing to prepare for the election in November, please double your efforts. Make sure you and those you know are registered to vote and plug in to help get out the vote efforts. In the meantime, contact your representative with this link and tell your congressperson to sign a discharge petition to put the aid package on the House floor after the recess.