WASHINGTON (AP) — For Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Mike Johnson, the necessity of providing Ukraine with weapons and other aid as it fends off Russia’s invasion is rooted in their earliest and most formative political memories.
McConnell, 82, tells the story of his father’s letters from Eastern Europe in 1945, at the end of World War II, when the foot soldier observed that the Russians were “going to be a big problem” before the communist takeover to come. Johnson, 30 years younger, came of age as the Cold War was ending.
As both men pushed their party this week to support a $95 billion aid package that sends support to Ukraine, as well as Israel, Taiwan and humanitarian missions, they labeled themselves “Reagan Republicans” an described the fight against Russian President Vladimir Putin in terms of U.S. strength and leadership. But the all-out effort to get the legislation through Congress left both of them grappling with an entirely new Republican Party shaped by former President Donald Trump.
Car dealership to cut 250 jobs and close 16 sites just months after being taken over by a US firm
Chinese hackers breached US ambassador to China's email account
Beijing confirms missing Taiwan publisher Li Yanhe is under national security investigation
China News Jack Ma: Alibaba's founder turns up in Japan as college professor
Who's made the cut for Meghan's new Montecito inner circle? Polo wives, Britney Spears' ex
VOX POPULI: Like Nobita in ‘Doraemon,’ we should never give up on ourselves
VOX POPULI: Voters won’t forget ‘politics of oblivion’ in the next election
VOX POPULI: Rooting for the Sendai killifish that survived the 2011 tsunami
Biden signs a $95 billion war aid measure with assistance for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan
VOX POPULI: ‘Domicide’ is yet another terrible addition to the lexicon of war
Judge to probe corruption accusation against wife of Spain's leader filed by right
Hong Kong down to earth designer Niko Leung crafts ceramics from construction waste