Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) argued Sunday that Republican lawmakers should withhold financial aid for Ukraine in its war against Russia “in the same way” that Democrats are withholding aid for Israel in its war against the terrorist group Hamas.
Rubio’s statement stems from his desire to secure the southern border of the United States, arguing that the U.S. should be prioritizing its own needs before it helps other countries. The issue of providing aid for Ukraine, along with securing the border, has been a constant tug-of-war topic in Congress, with many Republicans refusing to support legislation that would give money to Ukraine until legislation to secure the border is passed.
“So yes, I believe that we should help Ukraine, but only after we help America through our border in the same way as Democrats are saying, ‘we won’t help Israel unless you help Ukraine,'” Rubio said on Fox News Sunday. “Because they’re holding Israel as leverage and hostage over Ukraine.”
Rubio was also asked if he would work with President Joe Biden if the president were to work on securing the border, which would potentially provide Biden an “optical win” in an election year. The Florida senator replied, “Of course,” as he and many other Republicans have spent years arguing with the president and Democratic lawmakers over border security.
“They spent a long time denying it until they couldn’t deny it anymore, so of course I would support it,” Rubio said. “In fact, that’s what I specifically have called for. Had he done so, I would have voted for the funding for Ukraine and all the other things, because I’ve supported Ukraine funding.”
Rubio’s call to withhold aid for Ukraine comes about a month after House Republicans failed to pass a stand-alone bill that would have given aid to Israel, failing to reach the 287 votes needed to pass it. Only 250 House members voted in favor of the bill, with 166 Democrats and 14 Republicans voting against it.
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The bill was criticized by the White House ahead of the vote, with press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre calling it the “latest cynical political maneuver” by House Republicans.
The topic of border security is of growing concern among voters, with Biden advocating Congress to pass legislation to secure the border. The president has claimed that former President Donald Trump, who could potentially be Biden’s opponent in the 2024 presidential election, tanked a bipartisan border security bill in the Senate last month.
