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President Biden on Tuesday accused former President Donald J. Trump of encouraging Russia to attack certain NATO allies, calling his comments “stupid,” “shameful,” “dangerous” and “un-American.” , implored House Republicans to stand up to potential candidates and pass new security aid to Ukraine and Israel.
In a televised statement, Biden said the $95 billion spending package that the Senate passed on a bipartisan vote earlier in the day would defeat President Vladimir V. Putin’s Russia’s “vicious onslaught” against Ukraine. said that it is essential. He then linked the debate in Congress to a campaign speech in which Trump sided with Russia over European allies he deemed “rogue.”
“Can you imagine?” Biden told reporters at the White House. “A former American president said that? The whole world heard it. And the worst part is that he really meant it. No president has ever done that. Let me be as clear as possible: I will never say that. Please, it’s stupid, it’s shameful, it’s dangerous, and it’s un-American.”
Trump, who has long expressed admiration for Putin and ridicule of NATO and Ukraine, reportedly warned NATO allies that did not spend enough on their troops that he would not come to join them. He boasted about it at an election rally over the weekend. Defense in case Russia attacks. That would effectively nullify Article 5 of the Alliance Charter, which obliges member states to come to each other’s aid in the event of external attack. But he added that Trump not only doesn’t help allies, but also “encourages” Russia to “do whatever they want” to allies.
The former president’s surprising comments favoring a longtime enemy over a longtime friend have intensified the debate on Capitol Hill over resuming military aid to Ukraine. Aid has been stalled for months even as the country’s military is running low on ammunition and struggling to retake territory captured by Russian forces.
The Senate finally passed the $95 billion security aid package early Tuesday morning on a 70-29 vote, with 22 Republicans joining nearly all Democrats in supporting the funding. The aid package includes $60.1 billion for Ukraine, $14.1 billion for Israel, $9.2 billion for humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza, Ukraine and other conflict zones, and aid for Taiwan and other countries concerned about an aggressive China, including It includes $4.8 billion for Pacific allies.
But Speaker Mike Johnson has vowed not to allow the bill to be voted on in the House unless it includes tough policies to crack down on illegal immigration. “If we do not receive any changes on border policy from the Senate, the House will have to continue to work on these important issues on its own,” he said Monday night.
But Mr. Johnson, under pressure from Mr. Trump who did not want to give Mr. Biden a political victory, refused to include a bipartisan border compromise negotiated by conservative Republican senators with Democrats and independents. Already refused. The possibility of agreeing on even tougher policies acceptable to both Mr. Trump and enough Democrats to pass the Senate seems unlikely, if not impossible.
As a result, aid to Ukraine and Israel remains hostage to domestic policy disputes that are not easily resolved. Previously approved military aid to Ukraine, which aims to oust the Russian invaders from its eastern territories, has already run out, and Israel has begun a four-month military operation in response to the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas. After that, they need replenishment.
Mr Johnson last week tried to pass a bill that would provide only aid to Israel, but the two-thirds majority required for Congressional maneuvering came amid a veto threat from Mr Biden, who opposes cutting the package and leaving Ukraine. I didn’t get the vote. Outside.
Democrats could try to bypass Mr. Johnson and move security policy to the floor if they can rally enough Republicans to get 218 signatures on a so-called discharge petition, but that would be cumbersome. It is a difficult process, takes time, and occurs rarely. It works.
Mr. Biden deliberately allowed Mr. Johnson to vote within the chamber, arguing that there was a clear majority in the House of Representatives, despite the speaker and hardline Liberal members.
“We can’t walk away now,” the president said. “That’s Putin’s bet. He said it flatly. To support this bill is to stand up to President Putin. To oppose this is to do what President Putin wants.”
Biden reiterated his recent comments that “history is watching,” adding that Republicans who got in the way will ultimately be held accountable. He framed the issue as a choice between freedom and dictatorship.
“Are you going to support Ukraine or support Putin?” he asked. “Which side are you going to take, America or Trump?”
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