War Time Criticism of President Improper

By: John Semmens

Unsatisfied with massive GOP support for $40 billion in aid to Ukraine in its war with Russia, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md) slammed the few dozen Republicans who voted against the measure, insisting that “it is improper for anyone to be opposing our President when we are at war.”

“Since when have we been at war with Russia,” Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ken) wanted to know. “Congress has not declared war. Congress hasn't even authorized the use of military force.” The Senator recently blocked Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer's push for a “unanimous consent” for the $40 billion aid, calling it "fiscally irresponsible and fraught with danger. It's not as if we have money lying around unused. The funds needed will be borrowed—most likely from China. Worse, providing weapons to one side in a war and boasting about how our intelligence has helped sink a Russian warship is a provocation that invites retaliation.”

Hoyer called Rand's words and actions “disunifying. Once our President has decided to make war it is everyone's patriotic duty to rally behind him. How would Sen. Paul like it if a Republican president's efforts to intervene in a foreign war were opposed by Democrats?”

“As I recall, Democrats were very vocal in their criticism of President Bush's war in Iraq,” Rand said. “And that was after voting to authorize his use of force. As that war dragged on Democrat criticism of Bush grew quite vociferous and was proclaimed the 'essence of patriotism' by several prominent Democrat Party members including then Sen. Hillary Clinton (NY). The ability to criticize government policies and actions is vital to good governance. It must not be smothered by demands for unity.”