Sen. Ron Johnson | Ron Johnson Official Website
Sen. Ron Johnson | Ron Johnson Official Website
On Monday, U.S. Sens. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), and Mike Lee (R-Utah) participated in an X Spaces discussion with Elon Musk and David Sacks to analyze the Ukraine funding bill and emphasize the importance of securing the U.S. border before allocating $60 billion to support Ukraine.
During the discussion, Senator Johnson highlighted the devastating consequences of the ongoing war in Ukraine. He stated, "The only way this war ends is in a settlement...Their lives have to be rebuilt." He emphasized that sending additional funds to Ukraine would only contribute to the continuation of a bloody stalemate, as Russian President Vladimir Putin is determined not to lose the war.
The senators also discussed the secret Senate border negotiations and expressed their dissatisfaction with the resulting bill. Senator Johnson explained, "We end up with this monstrosity of a bill, it’s an immigration bill, it’s not a border security bill." He revealed that the original intention was to tie Ukraine funding to border metrics, ensuring that as the border became more secure, funds would be allocated accordingly. However, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell removed this proposal without consulting the rest of the conference.
Reflecting on past U.S. foreign entanglements, Senator Johnson urged a critical examination of the consequences of such actions. He cited the deaths of thousands of Americans in Vietnam, the aftermath of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the ongoing proxy war in Ukraine. He emphasized the need for oversight and accountability in U.S. foreign policy decisions.
Looking ahead, the senators called on House Republicans to prevent the passage of the foreign aid package. Senator Johnson urged the House to demand border security before providing any funding to Ukraine. He stressed the importance of public pressure to influence House members and ensure the protection of the U.S. border.
In conclusion, the X Spaces discussion provided an opportunity for Senators Johnson, Vance, and Lee, along with Elon Musk and David Sacks, to analyze the Ukraine funding bill and advocate for prioritizing border security. The senators highlighted the devastating impact of the war in Ukraine, the flaws in the Senate's approach to the bill, and the need for reflection and accountability in U.S. foreign entanglements. They called on House Republicans to stand strong and emphasized the significance of public pressure in shaping policy decisions.