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.
More than 1 in 4 US adults over age 50 say they expect to never retire, an AARP study finds
Zoe Ball announces death of her 'dear mama' Julia following short battle with pancreatic cancer
Arizona lands Oakland star forward Trey Townsend out of transfer portal
Tennessee would criminalize helping minors get abortions under bill heading to governor
Hairy Biker Dave Myers left wife Liliana £1.4m it's revealed
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash
Carli Lloyd turns diplomat and takes a US message to kids in Greece
Married couple are charged with fraud after 'dine
Attempt to expedite ethics probe of Minnesota state senator charged with burglary fails on tie vote
Microsoft and Amazon face scrutiny from UK competition watchdog over recent AI deals
Ancestry website cataloguing names of Japanese Americans incarcerated during World War II
Austria coach Ralf Rangnick confirms Bayern Munich contact