WASHINGTON, D.C. – It’s been a little more than seven months since Russia invaded Ukraine. The U.S. and other countries have provided Ukraine with economic and military assistance to help push back against Russia’s attacks. Just a few days ago, the Biden administration announced another wave of financial assistance to Ukraine. While Congressional members are supportive of helping Ukraine, some worry about the growing price tag.
The Biden administration approved 675-million dollars for additional arms, munitions, and equipment from the U.S. Department of Defense inventories. The State Department said they also want to make an additional $2.2-billion dollars available in long-term investments to boost security in Ukraine and their neighbors to push back against any Russian aggression.
We reached out to some of our members on this. Representative-elect Joseph Sempolinski (R- NY), sent this statement:
“The Russian invasion of the Ukraine is an utterly unacceptable act of aggression. Russia must end this needless war. However, Rep-Elect Sempolinski remains concerned about the scale of American expenditures when we have so many pressing needs at home.”
Rep- Elect Joe Sempolinski (R- NY)
Pennsylvania congressman Fred Keller (R- PA) shares similar concerns. He sent us this statement:
“While Ukraine gets another $2.8 billion in aid from the United States, I am concerned that the Biden administration is focused on the sovereignty of foreign nations over our own. America is facing a border crisis right here at home as President Biden and Washington Democrats stand idly by. In July, there were nearly 200,000 illegal alien encounters at our southern border—ten of which were suspects on the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Database—and fentanyl seizures increased over 200 percent. When I came to Congress, I swore to put the interests of Americans first, and if we are not secure as a nation, we cannot effectively help anyone else.”
Rep. Fred Keller (R- PA)
In total, the U.S. has committed more than $14.5-billion dollars in security assistance since the beginning of Russia’s invasion.
