During his recent interview on “The Source with Kaitlan Collins,” Utah Senator Mitt Romney highlighted the potential risks of not supporting Ukraine, especially when the House is currently prioritizing border security over foreign aid.
During a discussion about the retirement announcement of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., host Kaitlan Collins highlighted that the leader was “out of sync with the majority of the Republican Party on national security.” Collins then turned to Romney and inquired about the evolution of the GOP’s stance on foreign policy.
Romney, a Republican senator from Utah, expressed his belief that a majority of his colleagues share the perspective that the United States should actively engage in global affairs and protect the ideals of freedom.
Romney stated that a significant number of GOP senators would support a standalone bill to provide military aid to Ukraine if it were introduced on the Senate floor. He acknowledged that the main concern among Republicans was the financial assistance given to the Ukrainian government. However, he emphasized that the majority of their group believed in the importance of defending freedom worldwide, including within America itself.
According to Romney, if Congress fails to approve aid to Ukraine, the country will face significant challenges in maintaining its territorial integrity and overall well-being. He emphasized that Russia’s influence in Ukraine is a cause for concern, as it could discourage European nations from supporting the United States in foreign affairs.
“We maintain global strength, in part, thanks to our alliances,” he stated. “If we fail to support our allies, our own strength will diminish, and we will eventually suffer the consequences.” However, not all of Romney’s colleagues share his perspective.
Sen. J.D. Vance, the loud anti-Ukraine aid critic
During the interview, Collins inquired about Romney’s stance on the issue, specifically questioning whether he disagreed with Senator J.D. Vance, a Republican from Ohio, who has been openly critical of providing aid to Ukraine. Vance argued that sending $61 billion to Kyiv would not have any impact on their position in the ongoing conflict.
According to Romney, Vance’s point was interesting, but he deemed it irrelevant.
“It may not alter their position on the battlefield, but it serves as a powerful message to the global community that we uphold our obligations,” he emphasized. “By relinquishing our leadership role, by no longer being the vanguard of freedom, and by failing to be the bastion of democracy, the world will seek alternative leaders.”
According to Romney, if China were to take on the leadership role, it would result in a perilous world. This would have negative implications not only for America and its businesses and economy but also for our freedom.
During his appearance on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures,” Vance criticized his colleagues for being overly fixated on the war in Ukraine.
According to The Hill, Vance expressed his concern over the priorities of American leaders, stating, “It’s shameful that instead of focusing on the issues that directly affect the American people, such as the border crisis, fentanyl problem, and sex trafficking, they are overly fixated on Eastern Europe and Ukraine.” Vance emphasized the need for leaders to address pressing domestic problems rather than being preoccupied with international affairs.
Vance responded to the comments made by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., following Schumer’s meeting with President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and other congressional leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., in the Oval Office last week.
“The meeting on Ukraine was incredibly intense, unlike any other I have experienced in the Oval Office,” remarked Schumer. He emphasized the potential consequences of Ukraine losing the war, highlighting the risk of fracturing NATO allies and bolstering the power of “the boldest autocrats of the world.”
Vance criticized Schumer’s statement as “disgraceful,” and he commended Mike Johnson for being the only person in the meeting who emphasized the importance of prioritizing the interests of our own citizens.
Will Congress authorize aid for Ukraine?
In February, a $95 billion bipartisan aid package was passed by the Senate. At that time, it faced significant opposition from a group of lawmakers, including Senator Mike Lee from Utah. He spoke extensively on the Senate floor in an attempt to prevent the bill from passing, as reported by the Deseret News.
The package comprises approximately $60 billion allocated to Ukraine, $14.1 billion dedicated to Israel, $9.5 billion for humanitarian assistance, and extra funds for the Indo-Pacific region. Additionally, it includes $7.2 billion allocated for border-related matters.
In the House, Republican representatives have declared the bill as “dead on arrival” due to the insufficient provisions related to the border. Representative Johnson has yet to introduce the package to the House floor and has not committed to scheduling a vote. Currently, congressional lawmakers are prioritizing the completion of 12 spending bills before the March 8 and March 22 deadlines in order to prevent a government shutdown.
Behind the scenes, the House GOP is currently working on a new bill that includes more stringent border provisions, as reported by CNN. Leading these efforts is House Foreign Affairs chairman Michael McCaul, a Republican from Texas. The bill is expected to be finalized within the next two months.
The proposed plan focuses solely on military assistance, with no provision for humanitarian aid. Additionally, it aims to revive the “Remain in Mexico” policy, previously implemented during the Trump administration. This policy entails collaborating with Mexico to ensure that migrants remain on the Mexican side of the U.S.-Mexico border throughout their immigration proceedings.
