US Congressman accuses colleagues of waging proxy war against Russia
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Congressman Chip Roy condemns the House Majority Leader for stating that the US is at war, saying "I'm wondering when we voted to go to war?"
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Roy was one of 57 House Republicans who voted against a $40 billion bill for military aid for Ukraine (AP)
In a video posted by his press office on Wednesday, US Republican Congressman Chip Roy condemned the House Majority Leader for stating that the US is "at war".
Roy focused on Hoyer's statement, wherein she said that critics of the Democratic Party should "focus on the enemy" instead of rising costs at home.
“When I hear the majority leader of the other party say ‘a time of war’...I’m wondering when we voted to go to war?” Roy said.
The Republican Congressman, who had previously been one of 57 House Republicans who voted against a $40 billion military and economic aid bill for Ukraine earlier this month, said there should be a congressional debate if the US is going to "have a proxy war."
“If we're gonna have a proxy war, and we're gonna give $40 billion to Ukraine, because we want to look all fancy with our blue and yellow ribbons and feel good about ourselves, maybe we should actually have a debate in this chamber."
"I'm wondering when we voted to go to war?”
— Rep. Chip Roy Press Office (@RepChipRoy) May 18, 2022
“If we're gonna have a proxy war, and we're gonna give $40 billion to Ukraine, because we want to look all fancy with our blue and yellow ribbons and feel good about ourselves, maybe we should actually have a debate in this chamber.” pic.twitter.com/ShJ8Ltcf5m
The $40 billion bill passed eventually, with strong bipartisan support 368-57. It is expected to pass the Senate later this week.
Roy had described the bill as "garbage" and said that the money would be better spent at home amid rising inflation and prices.
“When the border of this country is wide open…and fentanyl is pouring in and we have $30.5 trillion of debt and gas prices are spiking and $1,100 to fill a tank of diesel, and we go ‘oh, blank check for $40 billion.”
Earlier this month, Biden addressed the US Congress, requesting extra funding for aid to Ukraine.
The US President had originally asked for $33 billion, but Congress settled to increase the package of aid to nearly $40 billion.
Igniting war; a priority?
On the other hand, the US administration received waves of criticism after sending funds of $40 billion to Ukraine, amid a baby formula shortage.
The US Senate overwhelmingly advanced on Monday a package of aid for Ukraine against Russia following an initial procedural vote.
On Thursday, US Republican Senator Rand Paul blocked the passing of the bill by objecting to a request by Senate members to unanimously approve bills with strong bipartisan support to be fast-tracked without debate.
Paul argued that the US has been funding Kiev’s war with borrowed money, which would add to the US' $30 trillion debt, exacerbating the US' crippling inflation crisis. He argues that the American people are already “feeling the pain” of the ongoing economic crisis driven by excessive deficit spending. Furthermore, he adds that Congress continues to deepen the crisis by increasing foreign spending instead.
