Milwaukee City Wire

On Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) took to the Senate floor to voice his concerns about the Ukraine spending bill that failed to address the issue of securing the U.S. border. The bill, which allocated $60 billion to Ukraine, neglected the pressing matter of border security in the United States.

Sen. Johnson emphasized the importance of prioritizing the safety of American citizens and securing the U.S. border. He expressed his disappointment that the debate on border security had been overshadowed by the focus on providing financial aid to Ukraine. He stated, "What should the United States Senate, what should Congress, what should this administration be doing to keep Americans safe? Unfortunately, this was pretty well taken off the table."

Highlighting the severity of the border crisis, Sen. Johnson pointed out that approximately 6 million people had entered the country illegally since the start of the Biden administration. He expressed concern over the lack of knowledge about these individuals, saying, "We definitely don't know who these people are, the close to 2 million gotaways, known and unknown." He emphasized the magnitude of this number by comparing it to the population of several states, including his home state of Wisconsin.

Drawing attention to the threat posed by open borders, Sen. Johnson mentioned the warnings from law enforcement officials, including FBI Director Wray, who stated that the threat of foreign terrorist organizations had reached its highest level since 9/11. He questioned how foreign terrorists could potentially exploit the open border policy.

Regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Sen. Johnson condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin as an "evil war criminal" and criticized his invasion of Ukraine. He highlighted the devastating consequences of the war, with tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians killed, and hundreds of thousands wounded. He also mentioned the estimated cost of the destruction, which could exceed $1 trillion.

Sen. Johnson urged his colleagues to consider the consequences of adding $60 billion to a conflict that had already resulted in a bloody stalemate. He emphasized the need to prioritize the well-being of the Ukrainian people and questioned the potential outcome of further fueling the conflict.

In closing, Sen. Johnson emphasized the shared values of Americans and the desire to promote freedom, safety, security, prosperity, and opportunity. He urged a reflection on past interventions and their outcomes, calling for a reevaluation of the decisions made by leaders and institutions in the United States.

Sen. Johnson's impassioned speech shed light on the need to address border security issues in the United States, while also raising concerns about the implications of the Ukraine spending bill. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how the government will address these pressing issues.