WASHINGTON — A $110 billion supplemental aid package proposed by President Joe Biden, allotting $61 billion for Ukraine, was blocked last week by Republican senators who want the package to include new U.S. border security measures.
Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Sen. Mark Warner (D-Virginia) conceded the border is "a mess."
He noted that the supplemental package includes $14 billion for the border.
Regarding the overall package, Warner said, "we've got to get it done."
"The person that's having the best Christmas is Vladimir Putin, because he said he thought he could outwait the Untied States and the west in terms of support for Ukraine. And at least as we go into the end of 2023, that is a possibility," Warner said.
A recent Pew Research Center study showed that 48% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents say the U.S. is giving too much aid to Ukraine.
Despite that, Warner, during an availability with the media on Wednesday, insisted that supporting Ukraine is "absolutely essential."
"This is in America's interest to stand by Ukraine. It's in all democracies' interest," Warner said.
However, both the Senate and House have now adjourned for the holidays. The Senate comes back January 8, and the House on January 9.