Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) spoke on Sunday to a new insistence on reinstating stringent immigration policies, namely the “Remain in Mexico” and Title 42, as essential steps before extending any further foreign aid. His stance marks a significant pivot in the ongoing debate on national security and foreign assistance, particularly concerning proposed aid packages destined for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.
During his Sunday morning appearance on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” Graham underscored the dire need to prioritize America’s security. He lauded the House’s proposed legislation to tighten border controls while offering our allies a scaled-down yet substantial aid package.
BREAKING – YOUR REACTION: Republican Senator Lindsey Graham calls on Joe Biden to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism after Navalny's death. WATCH pic.twitter.com/5O3aHOxyLn
— Simon Ateba (@simonateba) February 18, 2024
The crux of Graham’s argument lies in the “Remain in Mexico” policy, which he deems a game-changer for border security. His advocacy for this policy stems from its previous success in mitigating illegal crossings and its strong endorsement by border patrol officials. By reinstating this policy, alongside the health-focused Title 42 provisions, Graham believes we can regain control of our borders, ensuring that aid to foreign nations is consistent with the urgent need to protect American sovereignty.
Moreover, Graham’s call to transform foreign military aid into loans, mirroring former President Donald Trump’s approach, introduces a pragmatic perspective on fiscal responsibility. The plan to designate aid as loans rather than unencumbered grants could serve as a selling point that would at least include some measure of accountability for the massive sums provided to the corrupt Ukrainian regime.
The senator’s stance on Russia following the tragic death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny further illustrates his commitment to a principled foreign policy. He is now pushing the Biden administration to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism.
Lindsey Graham’s latest scheme is convincing Republicans that it’s somehow better to loan Zelensky $60 billion, rather than give it to him. Some are falling for this. But it’s fraudulent. Ukraine will never repay the debt, and we’ll never make them. This is just a more dishonest…
— Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) February 16, 2024
However, the proposal’s fate remains uncertain. The latest House bill sponsored by Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) could provide a path forward. Graham’s endorsement, contingent on the inclusion of robust border measures and the conversion of aid into loans, could be key to the amendment process to forge an agreement that could actually get passed.
