Staff Reports
President Biden and senior Republicans are teaming up to sell Americans on $106 billion in new spending on foreign wars, using a combination of politics and patriotism. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell argues that shipping weaponry to Ukraine is not only a good way to address Russia’s military threat but also to boost the defense industry in the United States. McConnell claims that these investments will not only replace what is being used against Russia but also expand production capacity to meet rising demand from U.S. allies and equip American forces for long-term competition with China.
The White House also supports McConnell’s argument. During his prime-time speech, President Biden clarified that the money allocated for Ukraine is not just going to the ally but will be utilized to fill the now-empty closet space with new defense equipment. The President also emphasizes that this investment will create jobs, with American workers building the “arsenal of democracy” and serving the cause of freedom.
This sudden push to allocate more funds for the Pentagon comes after thirty years of peace and ten years after the Iraq war, as the U.S. finds itself bankrolling wars on the other side of the globe. However, this move has faced criticism as well, with a growing number of Americans believing that the U.S. is doing too much for Ukraine. Gallup’s polling shows that 41% of Americans now share this sentiment, the highest rate to date.
Despite the pushback, the Biden administration and Republican leaders are marketing this increased spending as a way to boost the economy and bolster national security. However, critics argue that defense spending doesn’t necessarily contribute to economic growth and that funds could be more beneficially utilized in other sectors. The debate continues as both Democrats and Republicans strive to secure support for their respective positions on foreign wars and defense industry spending.
