President Biden declared Friday that Congress’ failure to pass billions of dollars in additional military aid to Ukraine is “nearly criminal negligence.”
The president made the remarks during an Oval Office meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and as senators debate a $95 billion bill that would provide aid to Israel, Taiwan and war-torn Ukraine. He told reporters while preparing for a weekend meeting.
“If the U.S. Congress fails to support Ukraine, it borders on criminal negligence,” the 81-year-old Biden said. “That’s outrageous.”
Mr. Scholz supported Mr. Biden, saying, “Without support from the United States and without support from European countries, Ukraine has no chance to defend itself.”
But some Republicans on Capitol Hill argue that the United States cannot afford to continue funding Ukraine’s war effort, especially at a time when the United States faces a border crisis.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) appeared on a TV show and said, “Mitch McConnell, Chuck Schumer, and Joe Biden should come together to fix someone else’s border before we address the border issue.” Sending $100 billion overseas would be criminally negligent,” said Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.). fox business.
“I’ve never met a conservative in Kentucky who agrees with this. But Mitch McConnell’s Senate leadership is more worried about sending money to Ukraine than they are about invading the southern border.” said Kentucky. the Republican added.
Paul vowed to “do everything in our power to slow down and stop” the Ukraine aid bill.
“Money has to be borrowed. It’s not like we have $100 billion sitting around,” he argued.
The Senate’s consideration of a $95 billion foreign aid bill comes after the collapse of a bipartisan package linking aid to Ukraine and increased border security, which Republicans said did not go far enough, and the rejection of a unilateral aid bill for Israel. It was received and carried out. in the House of Commons earlier this week.
The Senate voted 64-19 on Friday to formally begin consideration of the aid bill for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan. Only 14 Republicans voted to move the bill forward.
Senators are scheduled to consider amendments to the bill on Saturday, and the next vote on moving the bill forward is scheduled for Sunday’s Super Bowl.
