Kinzinger and Santorum among ex-lawmakers supporting Johnson on aid to Ukraine

A coalition of former lawmakers on Saturday sent a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) thanking him for moving forward with the foreign aid package the House is expected to vote on.

“We recognize the political danger this decision entails and are deeply grateful for your determination to put our country’s national security interests ahead of political expediency,” said the lawmakers, including former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) and the former senator. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.), wrote in the letter. “There is a cacophony of misguided narratives being presented across the political spectrum. Our allies deserve the right and firm support that comes from partnering with the greatest country the world has ever known.”

“His call for America to reemerge as the country that defends freedom and stands up to tyranny is a clarion call for our time,” they added. “This is not a debate about American security versus international security, but rather a debate about how to confront threats to American security wherever they rear their evil head.”

The letter comes as the House prepares to vote on a series of bills that would provide funding for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific region, among other national security interests. The Lower House advanced the spending package on Friday despite vehement opposition from conservatives, opening the door for debate on the legislation.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) also presented Johnson with a motion to vacate additional funding for Ukraine, which the House speaker introduced with the support of Democrats. At least two other Republican lawmakers supported her resolution, but Greene has not moved to force a vote on Johnson’s impeachment or said when she plans to do so.

The former lawmakers reacted against the internal division in their letter, warning that it is just a “distraction” for the enemy.

“These evil forces are not just attacking our friends and allies, they are attacking America itself through our allies,” says the letter, pointing to conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. “Furthermore, they rely on our internal political divisions to provide the distraction that allows them to get away with it. We must ensure that the calculation turns out to be terribly wrong.”

“Now is the time to recognize that our freedom to engage in robust debate – and even dissent – ​​depends on our courage to stand together against our common threats,” they continued. “The world needs America now more than ever to unite our allies and defend our friends who are under direct attack from our enemies.”

The letter was signed by more than 30 former lawmakers and other advocates for additional aid to Ukraine.

Republican divisions have become routine in this Congress as conservatives seek to pressure GOP leaders to fight harder for Republican priorities — the dynamic that led to the ouster of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in Last October.

But the signatories said the decision to pass more aid to the embattled country is based on a choice: “Support our allies to ensure victory or risk being drawn into a larger-scale war.
This, as you say, will attract American troops.”

“Some will continue to say this funding is about international security. Saying something does not mean it is so,” the legislators concluded. “The threats our allies face today are a threat to America itself and we must meet the moment.”