He spoke hours before a key Senate procedural vote Republicans vowed to block.
President Joe Biden on Wednesday called on Congress to urgently approve a stalled package of aid to Ukraine, hours before a planned key Senate procedural vote that Republicans are vowing to block as they demand new restrictions to U.S. border security.
He called it “stunning” that Congress has taken as long as it has to pass his request for $61 billion in additional funding for Ukraine, laying out a stark warning of what could happen if more funds are not approved, and saying Republicans will give Russian President Vladimir Putin “the greatest gift he could hope for” if the U.S. ends its global leadership now.
“The Congress has to uphold the national security needs of the United States and quite frankly, of our partners as well,” Biden said, speaking from the White House.
“This cannot wait,” he said, saying lawmakers had to act before the holiday recess and money runs out at the end of the year.
“Republicans in Congress are willing to give [Russian President Vladimir] Putin the greatest gift he could hope for, and abandon our global leadership, not just Ukraine, but beyond that,” he said.
“Make no mistake, today’s vote is going to be long remembered. History is going to judge harshly those who turn their back on freedom’s cause — because we can’t let Putin win.
