Hawley says ‘astronomical’ $40B Ukraine aid bill is evidence of Biden’s ‘misplaced priorities’ and hurts US

EXCLUSIVE: Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., is warning {that a} measure by Congress to present Ukraine $40 billion extra funding in its conflict towards Russia is evidence of the Biden administration’s “misplaced priorities” and will likely be detrimental to the safety of the U.S.

The Senate superior a $40 billion Ukraine aid bill on Monday night, regardless of opposition from a handful of Republican senators, in a vote tallying 81-11.

Hawley instructed Fox News Digital Tuesday throughout an unique interview that the explanation why he voted “no” to advance the aid package deal is resulting from the truth that it would hurt the United States’ standing domestically in addition to on the world stage and does not signify a “nationalist” overseas coverage view.

“My biggest concern is that I don’t think this represents a nationalist foreign policy. I mean, it seems to me to be part of this unfocused globalism that unfortunately many in my party have embraced in the last couple of decades,” Hawley mentioned.

“The amounts we’re talking about are astronomical. I think $40 billion would be about three times as much as Europe has contributed combined, all of the European states, for a war that’s happening on their continent,” the senator acknowledged, saying he is nervous it would proceed permitting Europe to “freeload.” 

“I’m concerned that it shortchanges priorities here at home. We could build a border wall twice over with this amount of money,” Hawley continued, stating that the U.S. must be extra centered on the risk that unlawful immigration poses, fairly than fueling billions right into a conflict and including to our nationwide debt.

Last week, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., blocked a measure that might have quick tracked the laws to the Senate ground, and since then, different GOP senators have come out in opposition to the laws saying its course is muddled and would require extra oversight.

“My oath of office is to the U.S. Constitution, not to any foreign nation,” Paul, who has been main on this situation, tweeted Thursday after he single-handedly delayed a unanimous consent request to maneuver the bill ahead.

On the Senate ground Tuesday, Paul requested: “Putting aside the constitutionality of gifting $40 billion to Ukraine, isn’t there a more fiscally responsible way this could be done?”

“What about taking the $40 billion from elsewhere in the budget?  The US spends more on our military than the next 8 countries combined.  Couldn’t Congress simply shift over the $40 billion and not add it to the debt? If the defense of Ukraine is really in our national security interest, shouldn’t their gift come from our military budget?”

Hawley additionally remarked to Fox News Digital that there are “no meaningful restraints or oversight” on the bill, which might trigger many points, he defined.

HOUSE PASSES $40 BILLION UKRAINIAN AID PACKAGE

The Congressional Research Service has estimated that this newest Ukraine bill is $6 billion greater than all protection spending by the U.S. on overseas aid and navy help in 2019, which is one other level of competition for the GOP lawmakers.

In addition, it will put the United States at above $50 billion in whole aid to Ukraine — far exceeding the quantity supplied for by European international locations, which Hawley and different Republican senators argue is disadvantageous to the worldwide standing of the nation.

Hawley additionally instructed Fox News Digital that he is involved that the package deal distracts from “more pressing” priorities overseas and at house, together with the risk from China. 

“I mean, what needs to happen here is we need to get out of the business of nation building, and we need to get focused on deterring our most significant adversary, which is China,” mentioned Hawley, who says he nonetheless helps aid to Ukraine to defeat Russia, however not in such a large amount. 

“To do that, we’ve got to get in the right posture in the Indo-Pacific, which we’re not currently. We’ve got to get serious about getting tough on China’s trade cheating, which this administration is not. And, you know, we’ve also got to get serious about protecting our border, which is truly in a total crisis on our southern border. And, you know, that is also a national security concern, given what we’re seeing coming across the border in terms of crime and drugs.”

“It is a matter of priorities that are misplaced. It’s a matter of not putting America’s national security interests first and not having any clear plan,” Hawley instructed Fox News Digital.

Biden’s funding bill for Ukraine consists of over $20 billion in weapons and safety help for Ukraine, $6 billion for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, and $4 billion for the State Department’s Foreign Military Financing program.

The bill handed the House final week regardless of “no” votes from 57 Republican congressmen. The Senate is anticipated to carry a remaining passage vote on the bill later this week, requiring simply 60 votes, and then it will head to President Biden’s desk.

“The plan was substantial in size, because the need is substantial: We must stand by Ukraine as it defends itself from Russian aggression,” Biden mentioned after the bill handed the House. “The need is also urgent: I have nearly exhausted the resources given to me by a bipartisan majority in Congress to support Ukraine’s fighters.”

MCCONNELL MAKES SURPRISE TRIP TO MEET ZELENSKYY IN UKRAINE

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., traveled to Ukraine over the weekend and met with President Volodmyr Zelenskyy. He was joined by John Barrasso of Wyoming, Susan Collins of Maine and John Cornyn of Texas. 

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The week earlier than, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., visited Ukraine accompanied by a number of of her Democratic colleagues.

Fox News’ Marisa Schultz, Lawrence Richard and The Associated Press contributed to this report.