In a contentious session on Capitol Hill, Republican Long Island Congressmen Nick LaLota and Andrew Garbarino found themselves at the center of a political firestorm after voting in favor of a $61 billion aid package for Ukraine, aligning with all 211 Democrats who also backed the measure.
This move drew sharp criticism from conservative Republicans, who criticized the spending bill as a misallocation of resources away from domestic priorities.
"The House of Representatives and Speaker Mike Johnson don't give a damn about the American people, our border, our jobs, our economy, or our national security. The most important thing in Congress is spending another $61 BILLION of YOUR money to fuel a war in Ukraine, protect a foreign border, and prop up the military industrial complex. Congress has already sent $113 BILLION to Ukraine. We shouldn't send another penny," said fiery Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, voicing sentiments shared by many conservative voices.
The rift within the GOP was palpable, with Representative Thomas Massie from Kentucky accusing Speaker Mike Johnson of compromising conservative values by forging deals with Democrats to ensure the bill's passage.
"Johnson is sharing the GOP Speakership with Democrats. To bring Ukraine spending up for a vote, he made a deal with Democrats on the procedural vote. Then he passed the bill with every Democrat voting YEA and a majority of Republicans voting NAY," Massie pointed out, highlighting the fractious nature of the vote.
The $61 billion aid package for Ukraine passed by a vote of 311 to 112, showcasing a stark divide within Republican ranks. While 101 Republicans favored the measure, 112 opposed it, illustrating the deep-seated disagreements over foreign aid priorities. In contrast, Democrats stood united, with all 210 members voting affirmatively.
The symbolism of the vote was not lost on observers, as members of both parties waved Ukrainian flags on the House floor following the contentious vote. Representative Lauren Boebert, a Colorado Republican, yelled at Democrats waving the flags, and Representative Anna Paulina Luna, a Florida Republican who was not recognized to speak at the moment, said into the microphone, "Put those damn flags away."
Critics of the bill, including conservative figures like actor James Woods, expressed frustration at what they perceived as misplaced priorities. Woods tweeted, "The House of Representatives has approved sending $60 billion to Ukraine for its defense against Russia's invasion... How much did they approve to stop the invasion of our southern border?"
"The Southern Border is open. Cities are being overrun by criminals. Gas Prices are up. Inflation is soaring. American Politicians: "UKRAINE!" wrote conservative podcaster Benny Johnson.
Brandon Judd, President of the National Border Patrol Council, lamented, "We are beyond disappointed that the House would give aid to secure the borders of foreign countries, but gave nothing to allow the Border Patrol to secure the safety of the United States. There's nothing more backwards. They could have given us policy, and that would have been enough."
Representative Nick LaLota defended his vote in an email statement, emphasizing the importance of supporting allies in the face of shared threats. "Ukraine's survival and strength are vital to U.S. interests. Moreover, it's essential to confront evil head-on, and providing military aid to allies can potentially prevent future conflicts, ultimately reducing the necessity for U.S. military intervention down the line," Lalota asserted.
Rep. Andrew Garbarino stated “Failure to stand with our allies would mean emboldening our adversaries and ultimately endangering Americans. I was proud to vote for legislation that delivers crucial aid for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan while including necessary provisions to ensure accountability and oversight over the use of the funds. This is not a blank check."
The fallout from the Ukraine aid vote has left Republican leadership facing internal challenges, with right-leaning members threatening Speaker Mike Johnson's position. The clash over foreign aid versus domestic priorities underscores the deep ideological divisions within Congress, setting the stage for further discord in future legislative battles.