President Joe Biden criticized Republican lawmakers for taking a “vacation” amid the escalating war in Ukraine and the death of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny. Speaking during a White House governors meeting, Biden asserted that Russian President Vladimir Putin would face consequences for his actions both internationally and domestically. The recent week had seen Russian forces pushing Ukrainian troops to withdraw from the eastern town of Avdiivka.
Despite the pressing situation, U.S. funding for Ukraine has encountered delays, with the House hesitating to vote on a bipartisan Senate aid bill. Congress remains deadlocked over President Biden’s immigration policies, and Republicans, supported by former President Donald Trump, are withholding aid to Ukraine unless Biden reinstates Trump-era immigration measures to address the surge of migrants across the southern border.
President Biden criticized Republicans for taking a “vacation” while the conflict in Ukraine intensifies. He emphasized the need for the House of Representatives to pass the bipartisan national security bill, which provides urgent funding for Ukraine and had already received overwhelming support in the Senate. Biden stated that a vote in the House would pass easily if called for, but instead, lawmakers chose to go on vacation.
The president urged the House to reconvene and emphasized the urgency of the situation, with brave Ukrainian soldiers and civilians facing dire circumstances. He pointed out that Russia is gaining territory in Ukraine for the first time in many months. Biden stressed the historical importance of supporting Ukraine during this critical moment, stating that failure to do so would be remembered and have significant impacts for decades to come.
But let me be clear. House of Representatives must pass the bipartisan national security bill. The bill provides urgent funding for Ukraine. And it passed overwhelmingly in the Senate. And there’s no question, none. None. If the speaker call for a vote in the House would pass easily today. Instead, they went on vacation. I mean, it’s just…Well. Look, folks, all kidding aside, history’s watching.
Clock is ticking. Brave Ukrainian soldiers and civilians are dying. Russia. Russia is taking Ukraine territory for the first time in many months. But here in America, a speaker gave the House a two week vacation. They have to come back. They have to come back and get this done. Because failure to support Ukraine in this critical moment will never be forgotten in history. It will be measured and it will have impact for decades to come.
