Russia felt it could invade the Crimean peninsula because of Republican obstructionism in the United States Congress, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) implied on Monday.
The Senate was resuming consideration of a motion to proceed to S.2124, the Support for the Sovereignty, Integrity, Democracy, and Economic Stability of Ukraine Act of 2014, when Reid took to the floor and made his accusation.
“As we begin debate on this aid and sanctions package, I also hope that the Republicans who stopped action on this legislation prior to the break have considered how their obstruction affects our great country’s national security, as well as the people of Ukraine who are struggling so very, very much,” the Senate Majority Leader said.
“Since this was blocked by some Republicans, these important sanctions have not taken place,” he added. “Russian lawmakers voted to annex Crimea and Russian forces have taken over — in many instances by force — military bases in Crimea. It’s impossible to know whether events would have unfolded differently if the United States had responded to this Russian aggression with a strong, unified voice, which we did not do.”
Reid said that the blockage of the bill sent a “weak message” to the Russian government, including President Vladimir Putin. The Nevada Democrat praised U.S. President Barack Obama for going ahead with the necessary sanctions, in spite of GOP obstructionism.
And the reason for the so-called Republican obstructionism, according to Reid? The Koch brothers.
“Republicans delayed this aid package for 10 days in order to protect the Koch brothers and billionaires just like them,” Reid said.
Reid stressed that it was likely Senators would have to stay over the weekend to attend to legislative business, including the aid package for Ukraine.
(h/t Yahoo! News)
