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Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: US- UKRAINE – AID OVERSIGHT (TV)
HEADLINE: Congress Debates Military Aid Sent to Ukraine
TEASER:
PUBLISHED: 2/28/2023 at 9:32 pm
BYLINE: Carla Babb
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Washington
VIDEOGRAPHER:
VIDEO EDITOR:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Sharon Shahid, Holly Franko, DJ OK
VIDEO SOURCE (S):
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 2:10
VID APPROVED BY: Holly Franko
TYPE: VPKGN
EDITOR NOTES: I, Carla, will provide links to all DOD footage to producer))
((ANCHOR))
[[The U.S. House Armed Services Committee held a hearing Tuesday with top Pentagon officials to discuss the tens of billions of dollars the United States has spent on security assistance to Ukraine. Opinions remain split within parties on everything from continuing assistance to the type of training and equipment that needs to be provided next. VOA Pentagon correspondent Carla Babb has more.]]
((NARRATOR))
As Russia’s war against Ukraine drags into its second year,
fractures within political parties in Congress are starting to show. Some Republicans say the U.S. has failed to provide enough weapons to Ukraine in a timely manner.
((Rep. Mike Rogers, Armed Services Committee Chairman))
“This hesitation has only prolonged the war and driven up the cost in terms of dollars and lives. This conflict must end, and the president must be willing to do what it takes to end it with victory.”
((NARRATOR))
Other Republicans tell VOA the U.S. has spent too much on the war.
((Rep. Matt Gaetz, Republican))
“I think we should wind down our support for Ukraine.”
((NARRATOR))
Democrats also disagree on how to spend the money.
((COURTESY Dept. of Defense))
Take the hot-button issue of whether the U.S. or NATO should provide Ukraine with F-16s. Ranking member Adam Smith says aid money would be better spent on air defense systems.
((Rep. Adam Smith, Armed Services Committee Ranking Member))
“No blank check means no blank check. It means we don't just send everything that people ask for in the blink of an eye without even thinking about it. OK, we think about it, and we get the Ukrainians what they really need.”
((NARRATOR)) ((Courtesy Ukraine Defense Ministry))
While others say the U.S. should train Ukrainian pilots on F-16s now.
((Rep. Ted Lieu, Democrat))
“Let's get them trained first and give the flexibility to the United States and our NATO allies to make that decision later if they so want to.”
((NARRATOR))
The head of Ukrainian military intelligence is now telling VOA that F-16s aren’t the aircraft best suited for the fight.
((Kyrylo Budanov, Ukrainian Military Intelligence Chief)) ((in Ukrainian))
“We need attack aircraft. F-16s and similar platforms are not attack aircraft. American assault aircraft is first of all A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft. Attack helicopters.”
((NARRATOR))
And as the war continues, U.S. administration officials say they are anxious to get new weapons into the fight for Ukraine while replenishing munitions for the most effective weapons on the battlefield.
((Colin Kahl, Undersecretary of Defense for Policy))
“If Russia is successful in Ukraine or seen as successful in Ukraine, it will embolden other aggressors elsewhere to do similar things.”
((NARRATOR))
One of the many reasons U.S. officials vow to support Ukraine for “as long as it takes.”
((CARLA BABB, VOA NEWS, WASHINGTON))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateMarch 1, 2023 02:36 EST
BylineCarla Babb
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
