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.
