Congress needs to pass Ukraine Aid Now!
Why is our political process so broken right now?
I have been writing since October about becoming much more active in my political support and advocacy for Ukraine. I spent all morning sending out calls to action to close family and friends imploring them to call their Senators and Congressional Representatives to ask them to pass the Ukraine Aid package now. I then called my own Senators and Representatives demanding the same for a second day in a row.
Being a Ukrainian American who has family fighting in the war and living through it may not make me seem an objective observer to some and that’s fine. However, as an American and not just an ethnic Ukrainian, I still believe this aid aligns with American security interests and will save Americans money and lives in the future.
Why is our Congress holding national security funding for Ukraine and Israel hostage to the border issue? Why are they conflating two entirely different issues playing dangerous chicken with an important Allies’ very existence? Our adversaries in Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea are watching us, and I am sure they are the only ones happy right now!
I don’t disagree that we need more security and funding for the border. Too many people are crossing both legally and illegally daily. It takes too much time to evaluate refugees for permanent status to give them the means to support themselves in this country. We need to address these issues and find the money to do this. However, for Congress to say Ukraine or Israel won’t get money unless we pass very restrictive border controls and an aid package and use it as blackmail?
I say no to this!
It will take much longer than a few weeks for Republicans and Democrats to hammer out a new set of border controls. There is at least bi-partisan support for Ukraine, Israel, and border funding. Why can’t our Congress get the funding bills done and do the hard work of compromising on the border controls later?
I am so tired of the petty infighting about issues that aren’t even related. Is our Congress really willing to hand the following wins to our adversaries just to get a perceived win?
- Congress, do you really want Russia to start steamrolling over Ukraine in January when they start running out of ammunition and lose hard-won territory gained by so much blood spilled?
- Congress, do you really want Russia and Iran to feel they have been given the green light to put their heads together to decide on their next victim?
- Congress, do you really want China to invade Taiwan next? Guess what? China is watching.
- Congress, do you really want American boots on the ground and lives lost when Russia invades a NATO country, China invades Taiwan and Iran continues to shoot at our aircraft carriers?
- Congress, is your petty win today worth even more American money and lives lost later when we’re at war instead of just funding them?
Congress, you really need to think about your next action carefully because people like me will be watching your choices and then making our decision at the ballot box in November. If you don’t make a mature and responsible choice, all I can say is “Votes and Elections matter”!
