ICYMI: Chairman Arrington, Oversight Task Force Chair Bergman Publish Op-Ed on Fiscal Sanity in Foreign Aid
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine nearly two years ago, Congress has provided $114 billion in funding to Ukraine, and even more taxpayer dollars in repurposed, transferred, and reprogramed funds.
Despite the transfer of hundreds of billions of dollars in aid—and no transparency, accounting of how money has been used thus far, or indication the war in Ukraine is winding down—additional funding relief continues to be asked of Congressional lawmakers and the American taxpayer.
House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-TX) and Oversight Task Force Chair Jack Bergman (R-MI) have been demanding transparency on all funds sent to Ukraine for its war against Russia in the hopes of delivering much-needed clarity to the American people. They highlighted their foreign aid philosophy and fight for accountability in an op-ed in the Washington Examiner, arguing fiscal sanity and national security funding are not mutually exclusive.
Word on the Street Via the Washington Examiner:
- “House Republicans have been clear: in addition to making sure our own border is secure, taxpayers deserve to know how their money has been spent in Ukraine. They also deserve to be assured that any future funding is accompanied by a clear military strategy, a thorough plan for how to end the conflict, and a meticulous accounting of how their hard-earned dollars are being spent.”
- “This unaccountable spending comes as America’s debt is about to cross the $34 trillion mark. In just four years, the interest on said debt alone will cost more than the entirety of what we spend on our national defense. Unchecked spending robs generations of people from prosperity and jeopardizes America’s standing around the world.”
- “It has now been more than 20 months since Russia invaded Ukraine. In that time, Congress has provided $114 billion in supplemental appropriations — not including potentially billions in additional repurposed, transferred, and reprogrammed funds — and yet we are no closer to getting a full accounting of funds spent or the Biden administration’s endgame. Without a clear path forward, we cannot, and should not, allow this money to continually flow with no accountability or transparency.”
- “The people of Ukraine, our allies who rely on America’s strength and global leadership, and Americans — both those currently paying taxes and future generations who will inherit the fiscal situation we create today — all stand to benefit from detailed accounting of aid to Ukraine, a cogent military strategy, and path forward to conflict resolution.” It’s time the White House does its part.”
The Bottom Line:
Supporting Ukraine and fiscal responsibility are not mutually exclusive.
Despite what Democrats try to portray, it is possible to support Ukraine and expect proper transparency and accountability over American tax dollars. That’s not the radical position to take, it’s the rational one.
House Republicans have been clear: in addition to securing our own border, the American people deserve to know how their money has been spent in Ukraine. They also deserve to be assured that any future funding is accompanied by a clear military strategy, a thorough plan for how to end the conflict, and a meticulous accounting of how their hard-earned dollars are being spent.
As our nation’s debt continues to skyrocket to historic levels, House Republicans are demanding answers from the Biden Administration before any future consideration of additional spending.
The House Budget Committee continues to call for transparency and oversight over all taxpayer funds. The first step in reversing the curse is ensuring responsible spending of Americans’ taxpayer dollars.
