Gerry Connolly criticizes Republicans for opposing support for Ukraine

Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) was furious with Republican lawmakers in the House of Representatives for opposing an aid package to Ukraine before Saturday’s vote.

The House of Representatives has passed a $61 billion aid bill for Ukraine amid the country’s current war with Russia. Lawmakers have also passed other bills providing aid to Taiwan and other U.S. allies.

Hardline conservative lawmakers opposed the bipartisan legislation, saying the money should have gone toward security at the U.S. southern border. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) worked with Democratic lawmakers to bring the relief bills to the floor and get them passed.

Connolly responded to these complaints by noting that “the Ukrainian-Russian border is our border” and is vital to U.S. national security.

“Some say we need to tackle our border first,” the Virginia lawmaker said during his speech. “The Ukrainian-Russian border is our border! It is the line between depraved autocracy and freedom-loving people seeking our democratic way of life! Do we have a share in that outcome? Yes. Undeniably yes.”

Republican lawmakers have refused in the past to work with the White House and Democrats in Congress over differences over immigration policy and border security.

Watch the clip above.