Republicans in Congress have leapt to condemn President Joe Biden's response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, the fledgling democratic nation that formed from the collapse of the U.S.S.R. in 1991.
Since the invasion began late last month, Biden has issued a litany of harsh sanctions that have upended Russia's economic stability. He also worked with allies in the European Union and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to lobby global sanctions against the country as well.
This past week, Biden announced $800 million in new military aid that would be used to secure its fighters with additional weapons and rounds to hinder the ongoing siege mounted by Putin's fighters.
Nevertheless, congressional Republicans still insist Biden needs to send more aid to Ukraine, but a new analysis from Mariana Alfaro and Eugene Scott of the Washington Post details the hypocrisy of the 31 Republicans who just last week voted against a bill earmarking $13.6 billion in aid to Ukraine.
Among those Republicans was Senator Rick Scott of Florida, who not only called on Biden to further fund Ukraine's defense, but also threw his support behind declaring Ukrainian airspace a no fly zone—a move that foreign policy experts have warned could escalate tensions even further, dragging additional countries into the fray.
Scott wrote:
“President Biden needs to make a decision today: either give Ukraine access to the planes and anti-aircraft defense systems it needs to defend itself, or enforce a no-fly zone to close Ukrainian skies to Russian attacks. If President Biden does not do this now, President Biden will show himself to be absolutely heartless and ignorant of the deaths of innocent Ukrainian children and families.”
Regarding his "no" vote on the spending package—in which he was joined by Republican Senators like Ted Cruz of Texas and Josh Hawley of Missouri—Scott said the bill was poisoned by lawmakers' personal projects.
As Mariana Alfaro and Eugene Scott noted, Scott's colleague in the House—Democrat Brian Schatz of Hawaii—called out the hypocrisy of congressional Republicans who condemned Biden but voted against increased spending.
“We should send more lethal aid to Ukraine which I voted against last week” is making my brain melt.
— Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) March 17, 2022
He wasn't the only one.
Vote against something and then complain about lack of progress. It's the GOP MO. They're not interested in governance. Only chaos. @migop https://t.co/8p930pv069
— Michigan GOP Watch (@MiMagaWatch) March 18, 2022
I don't understand why Republicans believe that everyone is dumb... https://t.co/xrHV0T5oIN
— ❤ Dee ❤ (@DeannG0919) March 18, 2022
Why is the @GOP even a party in America anymore?! It's full of inept crooked morons with no policy, no ideas and plenty of racism..... https://t.co/xuzJtPQPU7
— Vagrant Dead (@myles_kin) March 18, 2022
In a twist on "How old would you act if you didn't know your age?"; it's time Americans asked themselves "What policies would you support if you didn't know your political party?"
It's time we tried adult behavior again. https://t.co/HpateQ9GiA
— Zakariah Johnson 🪕 (@Pteratorn) March 18, 2022
Hypocrisy is never ending with these Republican cronies! https://t.co/au6rNOYKzy
— Trumpsucks (@lmadmamta) March 18, 2022
Hypocrisy on steroids https://t.co/A5MaTsvaeC
— Mike Connell (@M2Connell) March 18, 2022
Others weren't surprised.
*pretends to be shocked* https://t.co/V8uPxQyEzq
— Katelyn🇺🇦 (@katesquire) March 18, 2022
Standard Republican Operating Procedures.
A:
1. Vote against an action
2. Later, demand same action, depending upon the public sentiment
B:
1. Vote against an action
2. If leads to something detrimental, blame the govt
3.If leads to good, tell your voters as if you played a role https://t.co/gbiFmJ3UYO
— ϽΓΣⱤẛ∁ (@CholericCleric) March 17, 2022
Is Anyone Surprised? . that even a potential for WWIII won't sway GQPs from practicing dirty politics & fostering division when a show of Unity is so important. . Putin wd be proud...his money got to t right people. https://t.co/2eRwMxeTCh
— 🐘's state laws: plotting for permanent US control (@aktrwiz) March 18, 2022
Despite Republican opposition, the bill passed and Biden signed it into law on Tuesday.
@SecretaryBurgum/X
@Doug Ellin/X
@evanrachelwood/Instagram