Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) is prepared to object to an expected push from Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) to use unanimous consent to enact new funding for federal efforts in disaster relief, which the Biden administration had advocated be approved alongside other funding, like additional aid for Ukraine in its continuing defense against Russia. Scott’s expected push would consider the money for disaster relief on its own.
A vocal portion of the Republican Party has complained about the ongoing U.S. aid to Ukraine, which has consisted of weapons and other assistance excluding actual U.S. troops joining the ground conflict. Other Republicans and those broadly in support of such assistance insist that it ultimately reflects the interests of the United States itself, since the country has a stake in seeing democratic norms prevail against the violent authoritarianism represented by a prominent adversary that could later threaten Americans even more directly.
Some on the far-right, though, have misrepresented even the substantiated impacts of U.S. aid, characterizing the country as effectively prolonging the war and involving itself in civilian deaths. Ukrainians are not instigating the conflict, and it could easily be argued that the assistance from the U.S. and other countries has meant fewer impacts on civilians. The widely circulated news reports about what’s been seen in areas of Ukraine temporarily — or still — under Russian occupation or bombardment make clear what providing some concessions to Russia would actually look like. It would effectively be a death sentence for many of those impacted.
On the disaster relief front, Florida itself recently sustained a direct impact from Hurricane Idalia, which brought massive storm surge. Elsewhere in the country, Hawaiians continue to grapple with the aftermath of deadly wildfires that forced some to flee into the ocean. “I think it’s important to include Ukrainian funding,” Duckworth remarked. Scott was outraged.
“It’s unbelievable that anyone in Washington would try to delay the delivery of disaster aid to American families fighting to get back on their feet,” Scott said on X, previously called Twitter. “This helps Florida, Hawaii, California…ALL AMERICANS. Americans should ALWAYS come first.” Since when did Republicans drop the idea that Americans had a vested interest in what could involve setbacks for the Russian military?
It’s unbelievable that anyone in Washington would try to delay the delivery of disaster aid to American families fighting to get back on their feet. This helps Florida, Hawaii, California…ALL AMERICANS.
Americans should ALWAYS come first. https://t.co/W890IbKnDo
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) September 1, 2023
