In a tense game of chicken, remarkable for its mix of petulance and audacity, congressional Republicans are threatening to halt U.S. aid to Ukraine—guaranteeing a Russian breakthrough and possible victory in that war—unless Democrats help pass a bill that all but locks down America’s Southern border.
If the impasse isn’t resolved by the end of next week, when Congress goes on recess until the new year, the Ukrainian army could run out of ammunition. President Joe Biden could resupply the arsenal from U.S. stockpiles without legislative approval, but the move would be temporary, and the signal sent—that Ukraine, and by implication other allies, can no longer count on U.S. support in a pinch—could be a holiday cork-popper for Russian President Vladimir Putin and all of our other adversaries.
Maybe. Probably some. But I think it’s more accurate to say that for a lot of then, the suffering is acceptable.
On the Left Right and Center podcast, the conservative Rich Lowry once said it was ridiculous to say Republicans hate children. I think that’s true in the sense of, if you left a baby alone in a room with a Republican, it would be ok. But if that Republican could earn a penny of profit from killing that kid, you better start planning that funeral cause they’re toast.