Moran supports, Marshall opposes $40 billion aid package to defend Ukraine’s democracy

TOPEKA — U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall diverged Thursday on the issue of authorizing $40 billion in supplemental military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine.

Moran, a Kansas Republican serving on the Senate’s NATO observer group, voted with the 86-11 majority that sent the House-passed legislation to President Joe Biden. Marshall voted against the spending package designed to sustain Ukraine’s fight against Russian invading forces.

“The Ukrainian people and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have demonstrated tremendous courage as they continue to defend their homeland against Russia’s unjust invasion. Our commitment to help the Ukrainians to not just survive but to win this war also demonstrates our commitment to our own country’s security.” Moran said.

Moran said delivery of weapons, intelligence, medical supplies and humanitarian goods to Ukraine make clear to authoritarian regimes that attacks on democracies wouldn’t go unanswered by the United States.

“Our NATO allies should also increasingly demonstrate their commitment to freedom and security by matching America’s support to defend Ukraine and to deter further Russian aggression in Europe. If Russian aggression goes unchecked, the cost could be much greater – both fiscally and in devastating casualties,” he said.

Moran said the legislation included funding to bolster domestic defense capabilities in recognition adversaries would try to destabilize the United States as well as its allies and partners. Answering those threads is part of preserving “American security and prosperity,” the senator said.

Marshall, the Kansas Republican, was among 11 GOP senators voting against the legislation put together to keep the U.S.. aid pipeline from running dry amid Ukraine’s war with Russia. The additional funding brought the U.S. total to $53 billion, which Marshall said was the largest aid package approved by Congress in 20 years.

“All the while, our NATO allies’ contributions have dropped off significantly, turning this essentially into a proxy war between the U.S. and Russia,” Marshall said. “There is no long-term strategy and no end in sight to the spending.”

He also said the federal government ought to prioritize issues U.S. citizens were dealing with in this country. For example, he said, the U.S. southern border was too porous and price inflation was damaging the economy.

The U.S. House voted to advance the aid package 368-57, with all House Democrats and 149 Republicans voting in favor. Kansas Reps. Sharice Davids, a Democrat, and Jake LaTurner, a Republican, supported the bill. Fifty-seven House Republicans opposed the measure, including Kansas Reps. Ron Estes and Tracey Mann.