This morning, funding for Ukraine faces an uncertain future in the U.S. Congress. House Speaker Mike Johnson is under international pressure to act, with NATO Secretary General Jan Stoltenberg urging the U.S. to fulfill its promises to help defend Ukraine. Speaker Johnson has yet to take up a $95 billion foreign aid bill that passed the Senate in a bipartisan manner and includes aid for Ukraine.
New York Democratic Congressman Adriano Espigat, who serves on the Appropriations and Budget Committees and is the Deputy Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, expressed concern over the delay in addressing the funding issue. He emphasized the critical importance of supporting Ukraine not only for the country itself but also for Europe, the global economy, and the future of NATO.
Congressman Espigat criticized the decision to bundle Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and immigration into one package, arguing that immigration should be addressed separately. He highlighted the bipartisan nature of the Senate bill, which allocates $60 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion for Israel, and under $10 billion for Gaza, totaling $95 billion.
He raised concerns about the influence of former President Trump on Republican lawmakers, suggesting that their reluctance to support the bill may be influenced by political pressures. Espigat also addressed the immigration debate, acknowledging the need for comprehensive reform and criticizing the politicization of the issue.
Regarding the influx of migrants in New York City, Congressman Espigat proposed a work permit solution to address the needs of immigrants and the economy. He called for increased federal funding to support cities dealing with migrant populations and emphasized the importance of providing essential services.
In response to calls to vote uncommitted in the Democratic primary as a form of protest against President Biden's policies, Congressman Espigat disagreed, warning against the potential consequences of such actions. He stressed the importance of unity within the party to prevent the re-election of former President Trump.
