Opinion: Why Did Congress Finally Approve Military Aid for Ukraine, Israel, etc? Guilty Conscience?

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A $95B aid package is on the Senate floor today, hopefully passed, and on its way to President Biden’s desk for approval.

The House packaged and approved the four bills over the past weekend to great applause and rousing speeches.

What changed their minds?

Was it days, maybe weeks ago when such a package, was out of the question? Not needed, not wanted, not going to be approved, and yet there it is. In the Senate. Being reviewed. Anxiously awaited by Pres. Biden for his signature.

$61B for Ukraine, $26B for Israel and $8 for Indo-Pacific allies. Much of the money included to remain in the US as replacement costs for arms, materiel, and food heading east.

What changed their collective minds? For surely there was a change that preceded the vote. Over 300 members of Congress voted for it, 311-112 to be exact. Much more than the GOP majority. Hands reaching across the aisle, working together.

Was this simply a gesture of bi-partisan support for a worthy cause (that was worthy last month and late last year, wasn’t it?) or guilty consciences getting together to right a wrong?

Correct a perceived error in judgment before too many Americans took notice.

After all, Ukraine is not merely fighting their war, they are fighting our war as well. Not just America’s but the West’s. Those countries aligned to democracy and not dictatorships. Those countries who believe their borders are inviolable and don’t want Russia or China to come knocking.

Those countries who see themselves in Ukraine and the people fighting there to protect their country.

And as far as military support for Israel, what are the alternatives?

Support has been ongoing since last October. Is it realistic to expect support to cease while new plans are made, and new directions enforced? Hard to withdraw from decades of moral and financial support without explaining why and dealing with the repercussions of a changed strategy.

The unfortunate part is that most of the $95B is military aid. Bombs and guns and material for destruction. It’s not going to rebuild a town but to prevent another one from being destroyed.

Within the inequitable bubble of warfare – an important objective to get done. Outside of that bubble – an argument waiting to rage on as the world comes to terms with its penchant for doing bad things to each other.