Bowling Green Today

Dr. Rand Paul: The Federal Government Should Not Be Held Hostage for Ukraine Funding

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) spoke out against the expedited passage of any spending measure providing more American aid to Ukraine, stating that the federal government should not be held hostage for Ukraine funding. In an op-ed for The American Conservative, Dr. Paul expressed his concerns about the increasing aid requests and the lack of a clear strategy in the ongoing conflict.

Dr. Paul highlighted the dire financial situation of the United States, with a projected deficit exceeding $1.5 trillion this year. He argued against borrowing money from China to send to Ukraine, stating that it makes no sense. The American taxpayer has already provided Ukraine with $113 billion since the beginning of the war, averaging $6.8 billion per month or $223 million per day over the past 583 days.

The Biden administration has requested an additional $24 billion in aid for Ukraine, with President Volodymyr Zelensky currently in Washington to lobby Congress for approval. However, Dr. Paul questioned the effectiveness of the aid and the lack of a clear end to the war, asking for an explanation of what victory in Ukraine looks like.

Public support for the war in Ukraine is waning, with a recent CNN poll showing a majority of Americans opposing additional funding. Dr. Paul accused Senate leadership of trying to hold the federal government hostage by inserting the aid request in a continuing resolution. He called it a clear dereliction of duty and emphasized that the bill should focus on funding the American government, not Ukraine.

Dr. Paul also raised concerns about the risk of miscalculation or escalation drawing the United States into direct conflict with Russia, which possesses the largest nuclear arsenal in the world. He criticized the lack of effective oversight mechanisms to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse of American tax dollars. Corruption in Ukraine's Ministry of Defense has already resulted in the firing of several officials.

Highlighting the financial struggles of many Americans, Dr. Paul questioned the fairness of sending billions of dollars to Ukraine while citizens at home are struggling to make ends meet. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing American interests and national security, urging his colleagues to oppose any effort to hold the federal government hostage for Ukraine funding.

Quotes:

"Today I am putting leadership of the House, the Senate, and the President of the United States on notice. I will not consent to the expedited passage of any spending measure providing more American aid to Ukraine." - Dr. Rand Paul, U.S. Senator

"We have no extra money to send to Ukraine. Our deficit this year will exceed $1.5 trillion. Borrowing money from China to send to Ukraine makes no sense." - Dr. Rand Paul, U.S. Senator

"When will the aid requests end? When will the war end? Can someone explain what victory in Ukraine looks like? President Biden certainly can’t. His administration has failed to articulate a clear strategy or objective in this war, and Ukraine’s long-awaited counter-offensive has failed to make meaningful gains in the east." - Dr. Rand Paul, U.S. Senator

"This is a clear dereliction of duty, and I will not stand for it. My colleagues: As representatives of the American people, you should not stand for it. The bill that comes before us should be about funding our own government, not anyone else’s. I will do everything in my power to block a bill that includes funding for Ukraine." - Dr. Rand Paul, U.S. Senator

About Senator Rand Paul:

Rand Paul is a U.S. Senator from Kentucky. He serves on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, among other committees. Dr. Paul is known for his advocacy of limited government, free markets, and a non-interventionist foreign policy.

For more information, please visit Senator Rand Paul's official website.

To find out more, go to this link: https://www.paul.senate.gov/dr-paul-the-federal-government-should-not-be-held-hostage-for-ukraine-funding/