In a recent turn of events, Senate Republicans have blocked a bill that would provide aid to both Ukraine and Israel. The legislation, which had bipartisan support, was an effort to show solidarity with two key allies in the midst of escalating tensions in both regions.
The bill included $500 million in aid for Ukraine, which is currently facing a Russian military buildup on its border. This aid was meant to support Ukraine’s efforts to defend itself against Russian aggression and to bolster regional security. In addition, the bill also included $1 billion in aid for Israel, which is dealing with ongoing conflicts with Hamas and other militant groups.
The decision by Senate Republicans to block this aid package has sparked criticism and concern among lawmakers and foreign policy experts. Many see this move as a missed opportunity to demonstrate unwavering support for key allies and to send a clear message to adversaries that the United States stands with its partners in the face of external threats.
Some Republican senators have cited concerns about the overall cost of the aid package as their reason for blocking the bill. They argue that the United States cannot continue to spend large amounts of money on foreign aid, especially as the country continues to grapple with domestic challenges.
However, supporters of the aid bill argue that providing assistance to Ukraine and Israel is not only a moral imperative but also in the national interest of the United States. Both countries are key strategic allies in their respective regions, and supporting them is crucial for maintaining stability and security in areas of geopolitical importance.
The decision to block this aid bill comes at a time when the United States is seeking to reaffirm its commitment to global leadership and to push back against aggressive actions by adversaries. By failing to provide aid to Ukraine and Israel, the United States may be perceived as abandoning crucial allies at a time when they need support the most.
It remains to be seen whether Senate Republicans will reconsider their decision and support the aid package in the future. In the meantime, the fate of the aid bill and the implications of its blockage for U.S. foreign policy and national security will continue to be a topic of debate and concern.
Putins support for the GOP is paying off.
I don’t think they blocked the money to help the citizens of the United States. I’m serious, don’t think that they did this to help any of us. They did it because they are politically motivated.
P.s. – CBS, I read the comments. Thank God your days are numbered.
First, Israel provides a right to healthcare and universal healthcare for its citizens. Sending billions to this country when our own citizens have needs is pure insanity. Second, paying retirement benefits and salaries of Ukrainian government employees is not the responsibility of US taxpayers.
well america has no obligation to fund ukraine but look at it in this way if russia wins all there nukes will be stationed in ukraine then russia will go on to take other countrys then all of europe and the states will be a target for russias nukes and the outcome will be a nucliar war thats for sure so at the end of the day would financial help from america be beneficial rather then a third world war.
NYC is about to go under because of a $12billion hole in the accounts. To cover the bill NYC has had to reduce the police force, fire teachers, restirct library hours, increase taxes, reduce sanitation services, and the list continues, all while Mayor Adams pleads the White House for support. Yet, Washington wants to pass a 100billion aid package for Israel and Ukraine. I wish DC had more allegiance to the American people than other nation's wars.
Ukraine did not start the war and it is not a charity case. The money that the US pays to Ukraine is a small fraction of the Pentagon's budget (~5%), yet it is Ukraine that is at the forefront of defending the security and trade order this country depends on.
You cannot save money by not helping, because it will cost much more not to help. The US depends on trading with Europe, Taiwan and other partners around the world. Should Ukraine fall, the security of that trade will be at risk, leading to higher prices and making this country and its people poorer.
It is by far the most efficient use of money by the Pentagon ever. It helps manufacturing in the US and does not put American lives at risk. We should help Ukraine not only because it needs it but because helping is better for the US!
Thank God. No more money for other countries till our house is in order.
Good they want policy changes. Money isnt something to mess around with and it doesn't grow on trees t. Theres more value behind it than what people give credit to. They can still help but within reason. Im pretty sure it isnt normal to hand over that kind of money. It can actually be dangerous and create more of a devide amongs the people. Not just here. Everywhere. I REPEAT ITS NOT NORMAL TO HAND OVER MONEY LIKE THAT CUT IT BACK IN THE BILLIONS. LIKE MAYBE GIVE 10 BILLION NOT 50 ..
Where the heck is the V.P. during this immigration funding bill crisis? Where are the experts telling us what the best "bang for the buck" is (within International requirements re assylum seekers)?
Wake up people! It is a given that if Ukraine falls, Putin has already said it is his intention to restore all of the former satellite countries back to Russian possession. It is often said that war is paid for with the "blood and treasure" of citizens. In this war, we are paying for the weapons of war to defeat Putin, yes, but currently the majority of the "blood" is being provided in the form of Ukrainian lives. If Putin takes Ukraine, which country is next? If it is a NATO country, (which is extremely likely), under treaty, we are then obligated to send our young men and women to fight the Russians. Ask yourself, would you rather pay some measure of higher defense costs, or pay in the blood of our children and grandchildren. Seems like a "no-brainer" to me! If Putin's wars are not stopped now it is almost a guarantee that our offspring will, at some point, be sent to fight this, or a future war to satisfy our NATO treaty obligations! No American really wants to fight this war, but if we allow Putin to keep going in his wars of conquest, we will have no choice. I am a retired Vietnam Veteran living off my social security, and yes, I agree, sometimes it's tough. But if I must pay a price for our young children and grandchildren to be spared the horrors of war, that seems a small price to pay! We currently have an all-volunteer army, but the draft can and would be reinstated very quickly in times of war! We might actually be smart enough to require millionaires and billionaires to bare a larger share for our national defense costs in the form of higher taxes for the ultra-rich! With our status of the largest democracy in the world, we have an obligation to support the other smaller democracies, otherwise, they will be over-run by the authoritarian dictators who will in turn, take their treasure, and their people and conscript them into soldiers to fight us. Our national security depends on being smart and prepared, or the lessons learned in the past will be forgotten and therein, will lie our doom!
Ukraine Is about More Than Ukraine
Fiona Hill is an expert on Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin, and has served as a top adviser to both Democratic and Republican presidents. She also testified at Donald Trump's first impeachment. Politico interviewed her about the war in Ukraine. Below is a brief summary of the interview.
Hill strongly believes that if Russia wins in Ukraine, the United States' standing and power in the world will be greatly diminished. Russia, Iran, and North Korea will be emboldened, China will dominate the Indo-Pacific, and the Middle East will become even more unstable than it now is. She believes that Putin sees the war as a proxy battle with America and if he wins, he will have greatly reduced America's role in the world. She sees U.S. domestic politics as the main barrier to a Ukrainian/U.S. victory. House Republicans want to hand Joe Biden a defeat and don't care that the long-term result will be a world in which Russia and China dominate a much weaker U.S. They want to win in 2024 and to hell with 2025, 2026, or 2027.
Another effect of a Russian win in Ukraine, especially if it is due to House Republicans getting cold feet and being unwilling to support Ukraine, is that China might be willing to take Taiwan by force, expecting House Republicans to block aid to Taiwan in the event of a shooting war there. A Chinese takeover of Taiwan would be a disaster for the U.S. because so many of the computer chips in many products come from Taiwan, and China could turn off the supply instantly. Then no cars, appliances, and so many other products with chips could be made in the U.S. All the companies that make them would have to shut down, laying off all their workers, which could lead to a worldwide depression. Japan and South Korea fully understand this, so they are helping Ukraine, even though they are far from the war zone.
There are voices calling for a cease-fire with a partition of Ukraine, that is, allowing Russia to incorporate those areas of Ukraine it has conquered by force into Russia proper. The people there would get Russian passports and be governed by Russian laws. They are not likely to take that well. A partition of Ukraine would be a win for Putin and show the world that the U.S. is an unreliable ally. Remember that after the fall of the Soviet Union, the U.S. pressured Ukraine to give up the nuclear weapons on its territory in return for a promise to safeguard its territory. If the U.S. reneges on that promise, will anyone trust American promises again?
Some people are saying that it is foolish to spend money in Ukraine when it is badly needed at home. Actually, all the weapons and ammo being sent to Ukraine are manufactured in American factories and create jobs for American workers. The defense sector produces a huge number of jobs all over the country. While the result of the production is killing people, the workers at the defense plants probably don't see it as a waste of money.
Other countries are going to respond to a Russian victory in Ukraine in ways that will not be beneficial to the U.S. America will no longer be leader of the free world. Some countries will voluntarily "Finlandize" themselves to stay in Putin's good graces to avoid an invasion. Losing allies will isolate the U.S. and make it much weaker in world affairs. It's not a pretty picture but could happen for partisan reasons with House Republicans wanting to give Biden a black eye and not caring about what happens next. (
As they should block it.
I believe in Republic. I believe in democracy. Seem like the republicans. And democrats fighting each other. What about the American people speak up? Pick your replace in the Republic. That is for the American people to decide different things. Where I should go, not the politicians.
It is necessary to label J'ews somehow so that we can not discriminate against them. W-orld Wa-r III because of J'ewish Honor – possible and probable.
Aid for Israel, NO AID FOR CCCP UKRAINE. Must have REAL border protection. FJB,BHO,Dems and their supporters.
Without safe American borders there will be no Ukraine and Israel in the future. Islamic Socialist States of America will join forces with Russia and Iran.
I support Ukraine but no for Israel
First time I agreed with republicans
Let me get this straight.. the president who at this moment is under investigation for corruption involving his son and the ukrain, is trying to take 100 billion ,which he would have to borrow from China and give to ukrain..