Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will arrive on Capitol Hill to a darker mood than when he swooped in last winter for a hero’s welcome, as the Russian invasion is grinding into a third year and U.S. funding hangs in balance.

Zelenskyy’s visit Tuesday comes as President Joe Biden’s request for an additional $110 billion U.S. aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other national security needs is at serious risk of collapse in Congress. Republicans are insisting on strict U.S.-Mexico border security changes that Democrats decry as draconian in exchange for the overseas aid.

“It is maddening,” said Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., a close ally of Biden, of the stalemate. “A very bad message to the world, to the Ukrainian people.”

  • jballs@sh.itjust.works
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    9 months ago

    Republicans are insisting on linking it [the aid package] to strict U.S.-Mexico border security changes

    I’m confused here. Trump ran on a platform of building the wall. They promoted all these stories about the wall being built and how it was the greatest wall ever. Steve Bannon raised a bunch of money privately for his We Build the Wall plan to build more wall.

    So why are Republicans now claiming there’s a crisis at the border with migrants pouring in unchecked? Are they saying that Trump is incompetent and didn’t actually solve a problem he campaigned on? Are they suggesting Bannon is a grifter and scam artist? Or is this just a made up problem that they want to campaign on indefinitely?

  • Rapidcreek@reddthat.com
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    9 months ago

    Military support for Ukraine has been a huge job creator in the USA. More than 80% of the investments never left the States. The biggest winners are states like Pennsylvania, Texas, Arizona, Wisconsin and many more.

    Everyone asking to stop military aid for Ukraine basically asks to stop funding those states, and on top helps all adversaries of the US, effectively weakening the US in the long run. The costs would be immeasurably high. Plus, the US reputation on the world stage will suffer for a generation or more when we give eastern Europe to Russia.

    On the flip side, helping Ukraine will boost US economy, strengthen the Western alliances and deter anyone who dares to wage war against us or our allies. It has only benefits and can be easily achieved.,

  • backgroundcow@lemmy.world
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    9 months ago

    The industrial military complex is built on funding for proxy wars with Russia. I wonder if the issue this time is that they are worried that with Russia directly involved instead of by proxy, this war may end up breaking Russia if they lose. Dismantling the perpetual antagonist that motivates further funding of the war machine is not in the interest of those who make money on wars.

  • BlackSkinnedJew@lemmynsfw.com
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    9 months ago

    The big thing up their asses will be when the US recover that aid from them… 🤣🤣 there is nothing free in this world they will have to get on their knees at the end.

    Edit: And they will have to pay plus interests.