Republican Senator Lindsey Graham slammed House Speaker McCarthy’s controversial debt deal in an interview with Fox News, saying that the increases in defense spending – which fall below current inflation would be a “catastrophe for defense.”
The South Carolina senator has indicated he will add defense-spending increases in an amendment to the bill. Graham’s remarks come after he told Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensyky that killing Russian soldiers was the “best money we’ve ever spent.”
Lindsey Graham says he's happy that US dollars are being used to finance the deaths of Russians. There can be no peace talks with this kind of rhetoric in play. pic.twitter.com/mzM5DUOd25
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) May 29, 2023
Subscribe to Florida Jolt Newsletter!
“I respect Kevin McCarthy. I want to raise the debt cieling, it’d be irresponsible not to do it. I want to control spending, I’d like to have a smaller IRS, I’d like to claw back the unused COVID money, and I know you can’t get the perfect, but what I will not do is adopt the Biden defense budget and call it a success.”
Donning a Ukrainian and American flag pin on his lapel, Graham continued, “If we adopt [the Biden defense budget] as Republicans, we will be doing a great disservice to the party of Ronald Reagan.”
The South Carolina senator also said that “Putin and China” are the winners of the new defense budget and complained that the new budget bill lacked funding to “help Ukraine win a war that they’re on the verge of pushing the Russians out.” Already armed with billions of dollars of US and NATO equipment, Ukraine recently lost a “meat-grinder” battle in Bakhmut that is estimated to have cost tens of thousands of Ukrainian and Russian lives.
I just want to know if we are so broke, than why are we giving billions of dollars to Ukraine?
— Joy harp (@Joy_Harp1) May 30, 2023
Fellow Republicans have been harsh in their criticisms of the debt ceiling raise that came after tough negotiations with the White House. While the lack of border security funding or IRS funding reductions has been the focal point of criticism from others, Graham’s criticisms are only about defense spending and increased funding and equipment for Ukraine.
“Nothing in this bill provides weapons or technology to help Ukraine defeat Putin and make the world more stable. To Biden, McConnell, and McCarthy, what are we going to do about our own national defense as well as our support of Ukraine? We need to know.” ~Lindsey Graham on Twitter
Join your fellow patriots and subscribe to our Youtube channel.
The MAGA wing of the Republican Party harshly criticized Graham over what they perceived to be misplaced priorities. Graham’s heavy lobbying for the defense of Ukraine and lacking support for America First policies has prompted many to label him a “RINO,” or Republican In Name Only.
You should just move to Ukraine since you obviously don’t care about America’s invasion on the southern border. Our people are dying from Fentanyl and child trafficking. Maybe you’re ok with that. Why is that?🤔
— NONBidenary (@KellyLMcCarty) May 29, 2023
Others have suggested that there may be underlying motives behind Graham’s fanaticism for Ukraine and President Zelensky.
“We don’t need to send any more of my hard earned money to the winless war in Ukraine. We need money for our border first. How much $$$’s are you getting from Ukraine and the industrial-military complex?” ~@DawgF100
While crisis after crisis hit the United States under the Biden administration, most Republicans have failed to use their House leverage over the government. Ultimately, it is up to the House Freedom Caucus and Republicans in the Senate to salvage policy wins from McCarthy’s weak debt ceiling deal.
Other stories you may want to read:
Gaetz & Other Republicans Vow to Shoot Down McCarthy Debt Limit Deal
‘No Excuses’: DeSantis Pledges to Beat Biden and ‘Destroy Leftism’
