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H.R. 7691 – Ukraine Supplemental Appropriation: YES.  This bill appropriates $40 billion to support Ukraine to repel the Russian invasion.  I have serious concerns that it includes appropriations beyond military support, including support for the civil operations of the government and addressing global food shortages.  I am also concerned that there is insufficient oversight of these funds and that it makes no effort to cut domestic spending to pay for it.  Finally, while appropriating such a staggering sum to defend Ukraine’s borders, the Democratic majority continues to ignore the security of our own. All that said, there is one overarching consideration that weighs in favor of the bill.  If Russia can be defeated in its invasion, every other rogue nation around the world will think long and hard before launching similar attacks – starting with China, Iran and North Korea.  In short, the world will become a much more stable place.  Further, the size of the appropriation sends a clear message to Russia that it cannot win this war and thus dramatically increases pressure on the regime to withdraw.  I have said all along that the Russian invasion is primarily a European security issue and must not become an American security issue by engaging directly with Russia or by expanding NATO.  This appropriation could be a game-changer in stabilizing the region before the conflict spreads to a point that directly threatens American security or triggers American treaty obligations.

The latest estimate for the Democrats’ Build Back Broke bill is $4.9 trillion, averaging $40,000 per family over the next decade.  They say its paid for.  By whom?  By you of course, through direct taxes, tax driven price increases and worst of all, inflation.  What do you get?  Amnesty for 7 million illegal aliens.   That’s the entire population of Alaska, Wyoming, Vermont, Rhode Island, Delaware, North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana – combined.

President Biden hasn’t mentioned Afghanistan since he turned the phased, conditional withdrawal under Trump into an unconditional surrender to the Taliban.  Nor has he yet found the time to see the chaos his policies have produced by collapsing our southern border.