Senate Democrat willing to cause government shutdown over Ukraine aid.
Senate Democrat Open to Government Shutdown Over Ukraine Aid
A Senate Democrat has declared this week that he is willing to shut down the government if aid to Ukraine is not included in funding legislation. Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) stated in an interview with NBC News that he believes the stakes are high enough to justify taking such a drastic measure.
NEW: @SenatorBennet (D-Colo.) says he’d “certainly be willing” to force a shutdown if Ukraine aid is not included in the government funding bill.
Bennet: “If that’s what’s going to be necessary to make sure that we get people’s attention on this.” pic.twitter.com/WQiGDbedsO
— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) October 4, 2023
Bennet has already shown his willingness to fight for more funds for Ukraine in its battle against Russian invaders. He temporarily held up a House-passed continuing resolution over the weekend because it did not include funding for Ukraine. Eventually, the spending bill was approved by the Senate and signed by President Joe Biden.
Despite the progress made, the future remains uncertain as lawmakers struggle to reach an agreement on funding various parts of the federal government. Time is running out before another possible government shutdown in mid-November.
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House Democrats had expected former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) to advance a bill supporting Ukraine after the stop-gap measure passed with bipartisan support. However, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) filed a “motion to vacate the chair,” resulting in McCarthy’s ousting.
One of the GOP members vying for the speaker’s gavel, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), expressed opposition to moving forward with a Ukraine package, citing border security and crime as more pressing concerns. The House leadership vacuum poses a significant challenge to passing Ukraine aid.
President Biden has requested additional military and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine, but securing more funding remains a concern. Despite the obstacles, Senator Bennet emphasized the importance of not failing in providing aid to Ukraine.
Another Senate Democrat, Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), expressed confidence in fighting for Ukraine funding and ensuring they have the necessary resources to repel the Russian invasion.
What are the potential consequences of a government shutdown over Ukraine aid, considering the historical unpopularity of shutdowns among the American public?
Adequate aid reaches Ukraine, then I think that’s a step we should be taking.”
Senator Bennet’s statement comes as Congress faces a looming deadline to pass a spending bill to fund the government. The current interim spending measure expires on December 20, 2019, and without a new bill in place, the government would shut down. The Senator’s comments signal a potential contentious debate over including Ukraine aid in the funding legislation.
The issue of Ukraine aid has been at the forefront of the impeachment inquiry into President Trump. Earlier this year, it was revealed that President Trump had withheld military aid to Ukraine, which prompted allegations of a quid pro quo for political gain. The House of Representatives has since passed articles of impeachment against President Trump, accusing him of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. However, the impeachment process is currently at a standstill as it awaits a trial in the Senate.
Senator Bennet’s support for including Ukraine aid in the funding bill reflects the ongoing concern among Democrats about the treatment of Ukraine by the Trump administration. The Senator believes that by threatening a government shutdown, he can compel Republicans to prioritize Ukraine aid and ensure that the funding bill includes support for the country.
It is important to note that government shutdowns have historically been highly unpopular among the American public. The most recent prolonged shutdown, which lasted for 35 days in December 2018 and January 2019, resulted in significant disruptions and financial hardships for federal employees and contractors. It is uncertain whether Senator Bennet’s willingness to shut down the government over Ukraine aid will resonate with his colleagues or the American public.
The potential shutdown over Ukraine aid also raises larger questions about the role of foreign aid in US politics. While aid to Ukraine has bipartisan support, it remains to be seen how lawmakers will navigate this issue amidst the ongoing impeachment proceedings. The impeachment trial in the Senate could influence the attitudes of Senators towards Ukraine aid and potentially impact the outcome of the funding legislation.
As the deadline to fund the government approaches, the debate over including Ukraine aid in the funding bill will continue to intensify. Senator Bennet’s support for a government shutdown in order to secure aid for Ukraine reflects the gravity of the situation and the potential consequences of not providing adequate support to the country. Whether his statement will translate into concrete action and influence the final funding legislation remains to be seen.
Regardless, the issue of Ukraine aid has emerged as a key point of contention in US politics, with implications that go beyond the immediate funding bill. The coming days and weeks will undoubtedly provide further insight into the extent of support for Ukraine aid among lawmakers and the potential consequences of a government shutdown.
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