McCain Rails GOP on Ukraine Bill: ‘Don’t Call Yourself Reagan Republicans’ (Video)
Sen. John McCain hammered Republicans on the Senate floor Thursday for refusing to pass by unanimous consent a Senate Foreign Relation Committee bill which would provide economic aid while imposing sanctions on Russia.
“What has happened? Where are our priorities? You can call yourself Republicans, that’s fine, because that’s your voter registration. Don’t call yourself Reagan Republicans,” the Arizona Republican said.
The bill also includes IMF language, which Speaker John A. Boehner, R-Ohio, said isn’t necessary , and which some senators railed against Thursday.
“This makes no sense,” Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said. “I would challenge any of my friends here to stand up here and explain why a sensible response to what Russia has done is to expand Russia’s influence in the IMF and to diminish America’s influence.”
Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., the ranking member on the Senate Budget Committee, criticized the language in the bill.
“We do not need to be passing legislation that’s not paid for in this fashion,” the Alabama Republican said.
McCain, who refused to listen to Sessions’ floor speech, said a House-passed Ukraine aid bill did not go far enough, and faulted Republicans for objecting to the bill.
“Incredibly there will be an objection from this side to this legislation, when the people of Ukraine are crying out for our help and our assistance.”