Daily Caller: EXCLUSIVE: GOP Rep To Unveil Report Blasting Biden’s Joint Aid Request For Israel And Ukraine
Washington,
October 23, 2023
Tags:
National Security
Republican Rep. Mike Garcia of California will release a report on Monday that lays out Republican demands regarding U.S. military aid to Ukraine after President Joe Biden requested to tie it with an aid package to Israel, according to a copy obtained exclusively by the Daily Caller News Foundation.
To read the full article on the Daily Caller, click here. Garcia, a former U.S. Navy pilot who flew F/A-18 Hornet aircraft during the Iraq War, was joined by five Republican congressmen — including Dan Crenshaw of Texas, Brad Wenstrup of Ohio, Jack Bergman of Michigan, August Pfluger of Texas and Jen Kiggans of Virginia— in concurrence with the report. The members argue that Biden’s unconditional support for Ukraine during its war against Russia is “not a reasonable strategy” and demands that the U.S. narrow the scope of its aid, as well as perform a “full accounting” of the aid already provided to the country. The paper “outlines where I believe a great many members of our conference lie on the Ukraine Funding debate,” Garcia wrote in a letter to all House Republicans regarding the report, which was also obtained by the DCNF. “The discussion around aid to Ukraine has coalesced around two opposite poles: Not a dollar more vs. a blank check. This has left many members caught in the middle between these two positions with no policy island to stake their flag to.” Exclusive Report – Addressing the Ukraine Funding Debate by Daily Caller News Foundation on Scribd The report calls for the adoption of a “full-sanction policy against Russia to include ALL oil, grain, and rare earth minerals… [that] represent the bulk of export revenue to Russia,” according to its text, referring to the large share of oil and raw materials exports in the Russian economy. Additionally, it calls for a “full accounting — to the extent possible – of weapon systems that have been sent and used to date.” The report’s other demands include the release of “exit criteria,” informing Congress whether the U.S. privately supports Ukraine’s objective of recapturing all its territory and the analysis of the consequences if the U.S. ceases all support for Ukraine. Garcia and other Republican members of Congress have previously attacked Biden’s decision to make a joint request for aid to both countries, which also includes funding for border security along the international border between the United States and Mexico. “We have no strategy and no exit strategy, yet $61 billion [is] being given to Ukraine. Israel needs to go first. We can’t sign up to Biden’s blank check policy on Ukraine,” Garcia told the DCNF at the U.S. Capitol building on Friday. “The U.S. should decouple the humanitarian aid and remove any funding that subsidizes Ukrainian government officials and workers,” the report noted. “America should descope its involvement to that of enabling the killing of Russians on the front lines. That means providing the necessary weapon systems and tactics to win — not to tie.” The House has not considered any legislation since Oct. 3 amid an ongoing effort to elect a speaker. Garcia and the report’s concurring members are scheduled to hold a press conference on Monday night to discuss their demands, with any aid package to Israel and Ukraine requiring Republican votes in the House to pass, according to a source familiar with the matter. “American leadership is what holds the world together. American alliances are what keep us, America, safe … To put all that at risk if we walk away from Ukraine, if we turn our backs on Israel, it’s just not worth it,” the White House told the DCNF in a statement, reiterating Biden’s remarks in an Oct. 19 address. |