GOP Senators Argue Ukraine Package Would Cause Problems for Next President

Several conservatives, including Sen. JD Vance, are echoing concerns raised in a memo circulated early Monday regarding a purported "hidden" clause within the national security supplemental bill.

Vance suggests that this clause could potentially serve as grounds for the impeachment of former President Donald Trump, should he be re-elected later this year.

They're locking in foreign aid that will even tie the hands of the next president. It's a terrible idea. But also, if the next President were to try to have a different policy, you can see the Democrats again starting an impeachment. https://t.co/gLsvhIZhJA

— Senator Rand Paul (@SenRandPaul) February 13, 2024

In the memo sent to GOP lawmakers, Vance highlights that the bill, allocating billions of federal dollars to Ukraine, guarantees funding through September 2025.

Trump has publicly pledged to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours of assuming office, which would effectively terminate the funding.

Vance's memo alleges that the supplemental bill "represents an attempt by the foreign policy blob/deep state to obstruct President Trump from implementing his preferred policies, and if he proceeds nonetheless, to provide a basis for impeachment and undermine his administration."

He urges Republicans to oppose its passage. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) voiced his support for Vance's memo on Monday, contending that Democrats are laying the groundwork for a potential Trump presidency.

"They're solidifying foreign aid that could restrict the next president," Paul told Fox News Digital, asserting, "I think it's a poor decision. Additionally, if the next President were to pursue a different policy, the Democrats may once again pursue impeachment."

"I believe they may attempt to impeach him before he even assumes office now, and that's precisely what this is," he remarked.

During the Trump administration, the OMB withheld around $400 million in security assistance from Ukraine in 2019.

This occurred shortly before Trump solicited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to investigate the family of his 2020 political opponent, Joe Biden, while allegedly withholding an Oval Office meeting from Zelenskyy as leverage for the investigation.

These actions continue to be debated as the Senate seeks a funding plan that can actually pass during the tense election year..