On Wednesday, December 6th, a bill that would fund war efforts in both Ukraine and Israel failed to pass a test vote in the Senate by a vote of 51-49. Bernie Sanders joined Republicans who unanimously voted against the bill. Despite continued rhetoric from the White House that the war effort in Ukraine would pretty much collapse entirely if the bill is not passed as soon as possible, Republicans have stated that they will not send more money to Ukraine without a deal for more funding on the border; the underlying logic being that we must solve our problems at home before we can try to help with problems abroad. There is something unique in this situation that is different from many other legislative battles our congress has encountered in the last three years: in the preceding paragraph, there is a disagreement, a potential compromise, and demonstrated potential for passage of the funding. So, what’s the holdup?

The Republican reasoning that we should focus on the border before does not hold up to even basic scrutiny. The Biden Administration announced new border policy this year that allows the United States to deport anybody who crosses the border illegally, and Biden has maintained and even increased Trump era funding for the Department of Homeland Security. If the primary concern about the border crisis is the flow of illicit substances into the U.S, Biden also recently struck a deal with Xi Jinping to begin a mass Fentanyl crackdown in China. New immigration restrictions also don’t  even take into consideration the fact that the vast majority of illicit drugs smuggled into the United States come through official ports of entry, and cartels use the flow of immigrants primarily as a distraction. Yes, more work has to be done on the border. No, the crisis is not nearly as existential as many Republicans make it out to be, and its status should definitely not impede the United States from supporting a completely separate, international cause.

The argument for continuing to aid Ukraine is an absolutely no brainer–Biden has explicitly stated that he will not send U.S Troops to Ukraine, and simple military aid amounting to less than 10% of yearly defense spending has allowed the United States to indirectly deplete the military of one of their most significant enemies, not to mention internationally embarrass them. This case doesn’t have to be made, though. Both Minority Leader McConnel and Speaker Johnson have said that they support continuing to fund Ukraine, but want a deal on the border first. Yes, this attempt by Republicans to hold a key issue hostage is frustrating, but is it really surprising? Again, what’s the holdup on a reasonable negotiation and solution to this legislative impasse? 

Nonsensical Republican opposition is not nearly the most frustrating aspect of this situation, though. The New York Times included in one of their live updates of Zelensky’s most recent visit to D.C that a group of legislatures were in talks to make a deal on Ukraine Aid, but that “time is rapidly running out: Congress is set to leave Washington at the end of this week.” So, let’s get this straight. The existence of an entire country, and the success or continued defeat of one of the United States’ number one adversaries currently hinges on whether a couple of Senators can agree on something before their planes are set to take off?

This might seem like a dumb question–isn’t every issue hinged on whether legislators are willing to spend time on it? Yes. But never has the acceptance of defeat in the face of this fact seemed so overwhelming, and such an intense time crunch seemed so overwhelmingly pointless. Members of congress have communicated to one another the exact problem and the exact solution. Is our legislature so dysfunctional that they can’t even negotiate their way out of a problem that has a solution laid out for them? 

Just as frustrating is the arbitrary time limit. The last day of work for congress is scheduled for December 15th. After this, legislators are set to return to their districts for a break until the 3rd, if they retain a similar schedule to this year’s. Members of these legislators’ districts will be working on Monday, December 17th. Members of these legislator’s districts will be working on Christmas Eve, and on Christmas Day. Is it really so radical to ask some of the most highly elected officials in our country to stay for one more week, or even a couple more days, to iron out a compromise that could potentially save thousands of lives and help improve the geopolitical standing of the United States for years to come? If they wanted to be home on December 15th so badly, the answer is very simple–legislators should’ve had this very easily anticipated debate earlier. 

Obviously, legislators have work to do in their home districts. It’s important that they connect with constituents and stay in touch with who elected them. At the same time, we should be able to hold some of the most highly paid and well treated employees of the federal government to similar standards of work as Walmart employees. When there is critical work to be done in Washington, they shouldn’t be allowed to leave because of the date on their boarding pass. Our elected officials talk a big talk when it comes to opposing China and Russia. It sure would be a shame if their laziness handed our top two adversaries an early Christmas gift.