OAN’s James Meyers
2:07 PM – Monday, October 30, 2023
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell continued pleading for more aid for Ukraine, putting himself in a crossroads with newly elected Speaker Mike Johnson.
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McConnell (R-Ky.) said during an event on Monday in Louisville, Kentucky, that he wants to keep military aid to Ukraine and Israel tied together because he sees both wars as part of a larger global threat.
This comes after the Senate Republican Leader has repeatedly said that picking a fight with Democrats could result in a government shutdown and is bad politics for the GOP.
Meanwhile, Johnson (R-La.) is expected to advance a bill this week that only provides aid for Israel.
“This is a moment for swift and decisive action to prevent further loss of life, and to impose real consequences on the tyrants who have terrorized the people of Ukraine and of Israel. And right now, the Senate has a chance to produce supplemental assistance that will help us do exactly that,” McConnell said. “Enemies abroad will be watching closely and waiting for America to falter. Only our concrete and credible support can deter our adversaries in the future and restore security.”
During the speech he tied aggression against Ukraine and Israel together, telling listeners, “Think of it as an axis of evil: China, Russia and Iran. So this is not just a test for Ukraine. It is a test for the United States and from the free world. And the path toward greater security for all of us is simple: Help Ukraine win the war.”
Additionally, Johnson told CNN he does support Ukraine but needs “conditions” on it.
Johnson stated on Sunday, that the House will move forward with a $14.5 billion aid package for Israel when the House returns later this week. It will be a separate aid package from Ukraine aid.
Furthermore, McConnell pushed back against his GOP colleagues who have argued against additional aid for Ukraine.
“Some say our support for Ukraine comes at the expense of more important priorities. But as I say every time I’ve got the chance, this is a false choice,” he said. “If Russia prevails, there’s no question that Putin’s appetite for empire will actually extend into NATO, raising the threat to the US trans-Atlantic alliance, and the risk of war for us.”
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By: OAN
