In a recent and heated session in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA) sparked a debate by deeming the Ukrainian-Russian border as “our border,” while advocating for a significant foreign aid package. This statement came as the House debated a $60 billion aid initiative for Ukraine, which Connolly supported by emphasizing the global stakes involved in supporting Ukraine against Russia.
“Some say, well, we have to deal with our border first. The Ukrainian-Russian border is our border! It’s the border between depraved autocracy and freedom-loving people seeking our democratic way of life,” Connolly passionately stated. He further challenged his colleagues, asking, “Do we have a stake in that outcome? Yes. Undeniably yes. Will we rise to the occasion? Will we stand shoulder to shoulder with our Ukrainian brothers and sisters, who for 1,151 days have been holding off the depraved, thuggish dictator Vladimir Putin, who has respected no norms of warfare?”
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The resolution to send aid to Ukraine was met with applause and visible support on the House floor, as members waved Ukrainian flags following the vote. This package was part of a broader foreign aid effort that also included a $20 billion package for Israel. The vote concluded with significant support, tallying 310 in favor and 112 against, with unity among House Democrats and mixed reactions from Republicans.
The passage of the aid package has stirred controversy, especially among conservatives, due to ongoing inaction on the U.S. southern border—a longstanding point of contention. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has been particularly criticized for his previous refusal to address foreign aid without simultaneous measures to secure the southern border. The Senate’s attempt to introduce an amnesty bill under the guise of “border security” was quickly dismissed by Johnson as “dead on arrival,” resulting in its subsequent defeat.
Despite the failure of the border security bill, which was labeled misleadingly by its proponents as a measure that would manage the influx of illegal aliens while expediting asylum claims, the Biden administration and House Democrats ceased further negotiations on the matter. Consequently, Johnson moved forward with the foreign aid bill absent any new border security measures.
