Eleven Republican senators upheld their leadership and voted against a motion on Monday to advance a $ 40 billion security aid package for Ukraine.
The security package is not expected to pass until later this week, as one of the Republican senators, Rand Paul of Kentucky, opposes a swift vote on the bill.
Paul demanded that the bill give inspectors general authority to oversee spending. He called it unprecedented and financially unhealthy. But the Democrats said Russia would need a re-vote in the House of Representatives and would spend valuable time given that Russia bombed Ukrainian cities daily, causing horrific sights of death and devastation.
Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer (DN.Y.) said in a floor speech Monday that Paul’s efforts to delay the passage of the bill were “totally unacceptable” and “in the long run Putin’s It just helps to strengthen your hands. “
Oleksandra Ustinova, a member of the Ukrainian parliament, lamented in a message posted on Twitter that this delay would cost lives.
Ten other Republican senators joined Paul on Monday, voting against a motion to advance the security package. Many of these senators made supportive statements about Ukraine’s plight after the Russian invasion.
Marsha Blackburn (Tennessee)
John Boseman (Ark)
Mike Brown (Indiana)
Mike Crapo (Idaho)
Bill Hagerty (Tennessee)
Josh Hawley, Missouri
Mike Leigh (Utah)
Roger Marshall (Kang)
Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)
The list of lawmakers blocking aid to Ukraine has been steadily increasing over the past month. Last week, 57 Republicans voted against the Ukrainian support bill in the House of Representatives. Two months ago, only three Republicans voted against another security package.
Supporters of right-wing experts, including former President Donald Trump and Fox News host Tucker Carlson, are stepping up rhetoric against US support for Ukrainian aid. Mr. Trump also questioned spending measures last week, linking them to safety recalls and a shortage of infant formula due to supply chain issues.
“The Democrats are sending another $ 40 billion to Ukraine, but American parents are having a hard time even feeding their children,” Trump said in a statement released by Super PAC.
Senator Josh Hawley (Missouri) Insisted Spending $ 40 billion on Ukraine “is not in the interests of the United States,” he added, “allowing Europe to load freely, ignoring domestic (border) priorities, and freeing Europe. Surveillance that makes it possible to load on, change important overseas interests shortly and make them meaningless. “
But like Harley, a deficit hawk who could be a potential presidential candidate for 2024, Senator Rick Scott (Florida) voted in favor of the bill. Trump’s top allies called Russia’s invasion of Ukraine “a threat to our national security and the security of our democratic allies.” “America must always protect our interests and favor democracy over tyranny,” he added.
Monday’s vote to advance the Ukrainian package took place shortly after a trip to Kyiv by Senate Republican leaders, including Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell (Kentucky). After meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky, McConnell told reporters that he assured “the support for the war against Ukraine and this Russia is bipartisan,” including “the overwhelming majority of Republicans.”
McConnell also addressed the opposition to Ukrainian aid from his party’s Trump wings in a statement released after the trip.
“Ukraine does not ask anyone else to fight their fight,” he said. “They only want the tools they need for self-defense.”
“America’s support for Ukraine’s self-defense is more than just philanthropy,” he added. “Advocating for the principle of sovereignty, promoting stability in Europe and imposing costs on Russia’s naked aggression has a direct and significant impact on America’s national security and significant interests.”
This article was originally HuffPost It has been updated.
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