Flags Flying from Munjoy HIll in Support of Ukaine

President Zelensky of Ukraine Thanked the US  House and Specifically Speaker Mike Johnson (R) for Voting.in Favor of Financial Support to Ukraine.

Yesterday afternoon the world watched as the US House of Representatives finally was permitted to take  up  a vote on funding the Russian war on Ukraine and the Israeli government’s war on Gaza..

US House Speaker Mike Johnson (R)  a long-time disciple of Trump’s  underwent a conversion, religious or political, when he allowed the vote to be taken by the House.  The package to provide aid to Ukraine, Israel and Tawian passed as it was expected to do, despite the fact that Trump was opposed to permitting the House vote to be taken..

Following the passage by the House yesterday, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-1st District ME) issued the followig statement:  “When Russia’s war against Ukraine began more than two years ago, support for Ukraine in Congress was almost universal.  Unfortunately, the right has politicized the war and delayed urgently needed aid for Ukraine.  With passage of the overdue defense aid, I hope America can reaffirm our support for Ukraine and commit to defending democracy ahead.  The world is watching.'”

“While I am proud to support funding for Ukraine and Indo-Pacific nations facing threats from China, I voted no on sending additional military aid to the Netanyahu government.  I have long supported Israel’s capacity to defend itself through systems like the Iron Dome, David’s Sling and the Arrow 3 systems.  However, after clear violations of international law in Gaza and escalatding regional instabiality spurred by the attack on Iran’s consulate, we cannot continue to send unchecked offsensive capabilities to Netanyahau’s government.

“I fully support sending more desperately needed humanitarian aid to Gaza.  Congress must continue to prioritize efforts to push the Neteanyahu government to deliver more and more quickly.  It’s clear that much more needs to be done.  We need a permanent ceasefire now and immediate steps toward achieving a two-state solution,” Congresswoman Pingree’s statement concluded.

Congresswoman Pingree was one of 37 House Democrats who voted not to approve financial aid to Israel.  Jamie Raskin and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi were two others in the coallition opposed to financial aid to Israel. The US Senate is expected to vote on the aid package on Tuesday of this week before going to President Biden for his signature.

Will Speaker Johnson be able to hang onto his position without the assistance of Democrats?  He has said he’s not preoccuped with MTG’s motion to vacate him.  He’s done the right thing by permitting the vote in the House to take place yesterday and he’s willing to let the chips fall where they may.  He has said he is “on the right side of history” and that is what maters to him.

“Remember you read the Congresswoman’s entire statement in this blog.  Not the truncated version in the “Maine Sunday Telegram,” claimed this blogger!