Congress members justify their votes opposing foreign aid to Ukraine and Israel

After the passage of two foreign aid bills in the House on Saturday, the representatives who voted against them continued to voice their opposition.

First was the Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, which appropriated $60.84 billion for the war against Russia, which has lasted over two years. The 311-112 vote, featuring exclusively Republicans in opposition, ended with some Democrats waving the Ukrainian flag.

“I stand with the Ukrainian people in their fight against Russia, but not at the continued expense of hardworking American taxpayer,” Rep. James Comer (R-KY) wrote on X. “The United States cannot continue to spend blindly when those funds could be better utilitzed right here at home. As Chairman of the House Oversight Committee, I made a commitment to safeguard taxpayer funds from waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement.”

“For the Swamp, it’s Ukraine First and America Last,” Rep. Dan Bishop (R-NC) wrote. “Gleefully waving Ukrainian flags as the American people suffer under Biden’s border invasion.”

“We must be thoughtful and strategic with our dollars and put Americans first, which is why I voted to send funds to our borders, Israel, and Taiwan, and not send dollars to Ukraine until we have a strategic exit plan with quantifiable metrics,” Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) wrote in a statement.

Meanwhile, when it came to the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, opposition, while more bipartisan, was much milder with a 366-58 vote. Congress allotted another $26.38 billion to the Middle Eastern ally, with even the aforementioned Bishop and Comer voting for it.

“We’ve seen how [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu’s government has used US weapons to kill indiscriminately and create famine,” Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX) wrote on X. “I will not participate in this carnage. … [Netanyahu’s] actions have not led to the release of the remaining hostages. He’s ignored their families. He’s ignored the president of the United States. He’s ignored his own people. We should not be sending offensive weapons to Israel right now.”

“We find ourselves at a dangerous and pivotal moment in the history of our country and world,” Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) wrote. “It is imperative that we invest in diplomacy, democracy, and peacebuilding rather than death, destruction, and mass human suffering. … I will continue to champion these priorities, and push for a world free from war, tyranny, poverty, disease, persecution, and exploitation.”

A group statement from some 20 of the Democratic members was also released after the vote Saturday, including the likes of Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Ro Khanna (D-CA), and Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), among others. Notably missing was Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), the only Palestinian member of Congress, who voted against the measure as well.

“All of us support strengthening the Iron Dome and other defense systems we are committed to a sovereign, safe, and secure future for Israel,” the statement reads. “To protect that future, we believe the United States must help achieve a ceasefire that allows hostages to be freed, humanitarian aid to be delivered, and peace talks to begin. … Most Americans do not want our government to write a blank check to further Prime Minister Netanyahu’s war in Gaza.”

Finally, there were the few members that voted against both measures. Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) claimed Saturday’s legislation “abandons all pretense of forcing U.S. border security.”

“Any supplemental foreign aid package should have been contingent on securing our own southern border, while also aiding our allies,” Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) wrote after voting no on both bills.

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“I refuse to send funds our country, and our taxpayers, do not have to fuel foreign conflicts,” Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-MT) said in a statement.

Twenty-one members voted against both bills.