Eleven Republican Senators voted Monday to block the advancement of a $40 billion aid package for Ukraine, including Republican Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, who stymied efforts last week after demanding more financial accountability from Ukraine.
Sens. Mike Braun of Indiana, Bill Hagerty and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, John Boozman of Arkansas, Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, Mike Lee of Utah, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, Roger Marshall of Kansas, Mike Crapo of Idaho and Josh Hawley of Missouri, all voted to block advancing the aid.
A group of 81 bipartisan senators voted in favor of the spending package. Monday’s vote was to end debate on a motion to proceed.
The package was originally held up by Paul, who objected because he wanted the package to be re-written so that it requires an inspector general to oversee spending in Ukraine, which has faced serious corruption in the past.
“We cannot save Ukraine by dooming the U.S. economy,” Paul had said.
Hawley defended his vote Monday night by saying “spending $40 billion on Ukraine aid – more than three times what all of Europe has spent combined- is not in America’s interest.”
“It neglects priorities at home (the border), allows Europe to freeload, short changes critical interests abroad and comes w/ no meaningful oversight,” Hawley tweeted.
Spending $40 billion on Ukraine aid – more than three times what all of Europe has spent combined – is not in America’s interests. It neglects priorities at home (the border), allows Europe to freeload, short changes critical interests abroad and comes w/ no meaningful oversight
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) May 16, 2022
“That’s not isolationism. That’s nationalism. It’s about prioritizing American security and American interests.” (RELATED: ‘You Hurl Juvenile Insults’: Crenshaw Responds To Tucker’s ‘Eyepatch McCain’ Comment)
Braun said he “will vote against policies” he likes “if it’s going to continue us on the same pathway that’s taken us from $18 trillion [in debt] when I got here to $30 trillion,” according to Politico.
In a statement Saturday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said “America’s support for Ukraine’s self-defense is not mere philanthropy. Defending the principle of sovereignty, promoting stability in Europe, and imposing costs on Russia’s naked aggression have a direct and vital bearing on America’s national security and vital interests.”
“It is squarely in our national interest to help Ukraine achieve victory in this war and to help Ukraine and other countries deter other wars of aggression before they start.”