The gridlock in Washington D.C. has resulted in a growing rift between parties, and this is increasingly evident in many of Congress’ decisions. The controversial Ukraine Aid bill is one such example of the broken state of Congress, with many representatives speaking out against it.
The bill was first proposed in the summer of 2019 by the Trump administration, and it has since been highly debated and contested by both parties. The bill is intended to help Ukraine combat threats posed by Russia and its conflict with its eastern neighbor. The support would come in the form of increased funds towards defense and economic reforms.
Democrats have long been in support of providing aid to Ukraine but due to the President’s close relationship with Vladimir Putin, many have been suspicious of the proposed aid. On top of this, many have raised a concern over the potential misuse of funds, which could have dire consequences for both the Ukrainian people and the American taxpayers.
Republicans, on the other hand, have been more guarded in their response to the bill. They argue that providing aid to Ukraine could have a direct effect on their military conflict with Russia and would force the U.S. to choose a side in the dispute. A decision that could very well have global ramifications.
Despite the differences in opinion, the bill was eventually passed in July of 2019 with a resounding 284-143 vote. However, the result was still highly divisive, signaling an increasingly broken Congress.
The fact that the bill failed to pass with a more unified approach further highlights the lack of bipartisanship in Congress. There has been a clear shift in the political atmosphere since Trump’s election and his ongoing trade wars, and many feel that this increased polarization has made it much harder for stakeholders to come to a consensus when it comes to controversial bills like the Ukraine Aid.
Though the Ukraine Aid bill is now safely passed, it serves as an unfortunate reminder of the increasingly broken state of Congress. With a lack of compromise on both sides and a worsening of politics overall, it has become increasingly difficult for bills to make it through the house. Though this may be the new reality in Congress, it is something that all citizens should take note of and take steps to remedy.
