(Ken Silva, Headline USA) It’s an issue increasingly dividing congressional Republicans: Should the U.S. enter into a hot war with Russia if the war in Ukraine continues to escalate?
For Sen. Lindsey Graham, the answer is a resounding “yes.” Graham and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., co-sponsored a resolution Thursday that would obligate the U.S. to fight Russia if it uses nuclear weapons or destroys the Zaporizhia Nuclear Powerplant in Ukraine.
Two senators convened a press conference yesterday to explicitly threaten US/NATO war against Russia: "They will be destroyed… they will be eviscerated"
There was once a time, in the very distant past, when this type of thing used to be seen as unhinged Dr. Strangelove lunacy pic.twitter.com/FFyCqxitRe
— Michael Tracey (@mtracey) June 23, 2023
“I applaud President Biden for putting on the table that the threat of Putin using a nuclear weapon is real. Our message to Putin is: You can expect a massive response from NATO, and you’ll be at war with NATO,” Graham said at a press conference announcing his resolution.
But on the same day, a group of more conservative-leaning representatives introduced a resolution that runs counter to Graham’s.
That resolution—sponsored by Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, and Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio—would make it clear that Congress must declare war before the U.S. military gets into any foreign conflicts, international treaties notwithstanding.
“Perhaps the most important question a member of Congress will ever face is whether to commit our nation’s young men and women to war. We cannot delegate that responsibility to the president, the courts, an international body, or our allies,” Paul said of his resolution.
“Article 5 of the NATO treaty does not supersede the constitutional obligation that only Congress can declare war.”
Paul’s resolution is also cosponsored by Sens. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., Mike Braun, R-Ind., Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., as well as Reps. Dan Bishop, R-N.C., Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and other members of the House Freedom Caucus.
Judging by the initial sponsors and co-sponsors, congressional Republicans who oppose direct involvement in the Ukraine war appear to outnumber those who would start World War 3.
However, there are other House Republicans who are pushing to provide Ukraine with long-range missiles with the ability to strike Russian territory. The Republican-controlled House Foreign Affairs Committee passed a resolution Wednesday that calls on the Biden administration to immediately arm Ukraine with the Army Tactical Missile Systems, which have a range of up to 190 miles.
“There’s no reason to give Ukraine just enough to bleed but not enough to win,” said Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, who sponsored the resolution.
The resolution now heads to the House floor. Though the resolution has no binding effect on White House policy decisions, the coming vote on this resolution will serve as a litmus test to see where Republicans stand on the issue of war and peace.
Rep. Greene made her stance clear, saying on Twitter that she adamantly opposes arming Ukraine with long-range missiles to strike Russia.
I adamantly OPPOSED to this U.S. escalation of war in Ukraine!
Providing long-range missiles, including 200-mile-range Army Tactical Missile System to Ukraine is just like Russia giving long range missiles to Cuba or Mexico!
The U.S. should negotiate peace NOT wage war!
1/3 pic.twitter.com/WSu6bmMolZ
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) June 19, 2023
“Providing long-range missiles, including 200-mile-range Army Tactical Missile System to Ukraine is just like Russia giving long range missiles to Cuba or Mexico!” Greene said.
“The U.S. should negotiate peace NOT wage war!”
Ken Silva is a staff writer at Headline USA. Follow him at twitter.com/jd_cashless.
