Democratic Senate leader, Chuck Schumer has accused Republicans of hindering negotiations on aid for Ukraine.
Schumer’s remarks were an indication that the Democrats and Republicans are far apart on approving more military aid needed by Ukraine to counter Russia’s attacks.
Schumer blamed the Republican party for insisting on passing immigration policies championed by Donald Trump.
In a letter to the White House, Republican House Speaker, Mike Johnson stressed that he would not support further military aid to Ukraine unless the White House agrees to tighten border security.
While Johnson does not specify which policies he wants to see enacted, he refers to the Secure the Border Act, which would require construction of a wall on the border with Mexico first proposed by Donald Trump to be restarted, and limit the ability of asylum seekers to stay in the United States – all proposals Democrats and the Biden administration opppose.
Johnson stated in the letter that “supplemental Ukraine funding is dependent upon enactment of transformative change to our nation’s border security laws,” adding that he first informed White House budget official, Shalanda Young, of these demands in late October.
“The open U.S. border is an unconscionable and unsustainable catastrophe, and we have a moral responsibility to insist this madness stops immediately,” Johnson noted.
“Rather than engaging with Congressional Republicans to discuss logical reforms, the Biden Administration has ignored reality, choosing instead to engage in political posturing. We stand ready and willing to work with the Administration on a robust border security package that protects the interests of the American people.”
Mike Johnson
However, Schumer averred that if Republicans are unable to produce a broadly bipartisan immigration proposal, they should not block aid to Ukraine in response. “They should not be resorting to hostage taking” Schumer said.
“That would be madness, utter madness. It would be an insult to our Ukrainian friends who are fighting for their lives against Russian autocracy. And it could go down as a major turning point where the West didn’t live up to its responsibilities and things turned away from our democracies and our values and towards autocracy.”
Chuck Schumer
Schumer also made reference to Ronald Reagan, the Republican former President known for his opposition to the Soviet Union in the 1980s.
He said, “Ronald Reagan would be rolling in his grave – rolling in his grave – if he saw his own party let Vladimir Putin roll through Europe.”
He stated, “So, once again, I urge my Republican colleagues to think carefully about what’s at stake with this week’s vote. What we do now will reverberate across the world for years and decades to come.”
“And history – history – will render harsh judgment on those who abandoned democracy for Donald Trump’s extreme immigration policies,” he added.
Chris Murphy, the Democratic Senator from Connecticut who was involved in the negotiations also accused Republicans of jeopardizing national security and potentially handing Vladimir Putin a win.
“This is a choice Republicans are making. They have decided to play games with world security by requiring their hardline immigration policy demands be met before Ukraine is saved. This isn’t a game. This is the future of the world.”
Mike Johnson
Zelenskyy To Address U.S Senators
Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy is slated to address U.S. senators by video on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, during a classified briefing.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said earlier that the administration had invited Zelenskyy to address the senators so they “could hear directly from him precisely what’s at stake.”
They will also be hearing from the secretaries of Defense, State and other top national security officials.
Top U.S administration officials including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines were due to take part in the closed-door briefing.
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