Waltz Says Washington Looking at Ukraine Through 'a Soda Straw'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has visited Washington seeking money for the ongoing war with Russia, which House Republicans refuse to give unless President Biden and Senate Democrats secure the southern border. Representative Mike Waltz (R-FL) discussed the standoff in a recent appearance on Fox Business's Cavuto Coast to Coast, saying the demands have nothing to do with politics and that border security is a more immediate priority for the United States, while Washington "is looking through a soda straw."

The Hill reported that Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) spoke with Zelensky and reiterated that any further aid to Ukraine must come with security for America's border, saying "These are our conditions because these are the conditions of the American people."

Rep. Waltz further clarified that House Republicans are "trying to fix [President Biden's] bad policy" and "This is not about politics, this is about national security," especially when FBI Director Christopher Wray recently stated that the threat of a terror attack perpetrated by a border crosser is higher than ever.

Additionally, Rep. Waltz said those in favor of funding Ukraine do not have a clear objective in mind, unable to answer questions such as "How do we get out of this stalemate in Ukraine that Biden's dithering has backed us into? So border [and] strategy before you just talk about blank checks from the American people," a sentiment he expressed in a September op-ed.

Host Neal Cavuto reiterated that while Americans do not want Russia to win, they want to know where their money is going.

Waltz agreed, saying, "The American people do not just look at this through kind of a soda straw like Washington does. They are looking at gas prices, they are looking at 8% mortgage rates; they are looking at inflation that is killing their paycheck. They are looking at our out-of-control border and saying, 'Hey guys, what is your priority here?"

Moreover, he concluded with a reminder to viewers that the demand for border security does not mean Ukraine will receive no further funding. Instead, the border is simply a greater priority.

"We need to talk about policy changes, not money. Washington loves to talk about money and troop movements, [but] let us talk about goals and strategy," Waltz concluded.