Republicans tear into Pentagon's Ukraine weapons freeze
Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, said he would be 'aggressively looking into this matter' following the White House's acknowledgment that the Pentagon froze deliveries of critical air defense weapons due to concerns over shrinking U.S. stockpiles.
'We must build up our own defense industrial base here in the U.S. while simultaneously providing the needed assistance to our allies who are defending their freedom from a brutal invading dictator,' the Pennsylvania representative said in a post on X. 'To not do both is unacceptable.'
Fitzpatrick later requested an emergency briefing from the White House and Pentagon.
Lawmakers of varying political stripes called the holdup of weapons approved during the Biden administration a breach of Trump's renewed commitment to Kyiv at last week's NATO summit, where the president floated selling Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine. POLITICO first reported the news on Tuesday, and since then, Kyiv has summoned a U.S. diplomat to explain the hold.
Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) said he is probing 'very intensely' whether the Pentagon's freeze is a breach of Ukraine aid legislation that Congress passed in 2024. He also argued the pause is coming 'at the wrong time,' weakening Trump's efforts to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate a peace deal with Ukraine.
'If you want to get him to the negotiating table in good faith, you have to put leverage and pressure on him, and that would be Lindsey Graham's economic sanctions and the flow of weapons,' McCaul said. 'If you take the flow of weapons out, yeah, then you're not, you don't have the leverage over Putin to negotiate.'
Democrats — who during Trump's first term pressed for his impeachment over holding up money to arm Ukraine to secure information on the dealings of his main Democratic rival, Joe Biden, and his family — assailed the aid holdup.
But some top lawmakers weren't ready to pin the blame on Trump himself. Rather, they singled out senior Pentagon officials who have been skeptics of further aid to Ukraine.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called out Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby, a longtime proponent of shifting U.S. military resources away from Ukraine in order to beef up Taiwan's defenses.
She argued the pause undermines Trump's commitments at NATO and urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is simultaneously serving as White House national security adviser, to enforce a strategy.
"The Trump administration's mixed messaging is undermining its own agenda to bring Putin to the negotiating table, and this move under Secretary Hegesth's leadership will only make a just and lasting peace harder to obtain," Shaheen said in a statement. "Now is not the time for rogue actors undermining our national security interests.'
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), a senior Senate Armed Services Committee member, called the rationale behind the freeze 'fallacious and maybe even disingenuous.' He said he and colleagues in both parties were surprised by the news — and that Ukrainians will suffer.
'They're going to lose more lives, more people will be maimed and injured — more homes, hospitals, schools will be destroyed,' he said in an interview. 'The Russians … are not even making a pretense of going after military targets.'
Other top Republicans were less troubled by reports of the stalled weapons shipments. Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.), who chairs the panel that controls much of the Pentagon budget, said he still needed to examine what munitions Ukraine has in its inventory, but suggested supply concerns might be warranted.
'I think part of it is the supply. So we've been running through a lot of Standard Missiles, the whole Patriot system,' Calvert said. 'The other part of it is that the Europeans are beginning to pick up the slack.
'I don't know what they have in inventory right now, the Ukrainians. I'll find that out,' he said.
House Armed Services Chair Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) said he hadn't been informed of a pause on munitions shipments, but he noted the Trump administration has 'done it several times.'
'I don't know that he paused it for any purpose other than something regular that they do,' Rogers said of Trump. 'I don't have any reason to be upset about it until I learn more.'
Trump's allies on Capitol Hill defended the move. House Foreign Affairs Chair Brian Mast (R-Fla.) said he hadn't heard of a specific delay but said there's a 'constant check and balance' in terms of what gets sent to Ukraine.
'You always want to make sure that your supply line is smooth, but if you're constantly making the checks, then it keeps them constantly vigilant,' Mast said. 'If you weren't constantly doing this, then all of a sudden, they're going to get themselves wrapped around the axle when you really do check it. So I think in the end, it makes for a smoother system.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
CAPITOL ROUNDUP: State leaders unite to support farmers, food banks, families
Jul. 5—WILKES-BARRE — Gov. Josh Shapiro visited Destiny Dairy Bar in Carlisle this week, alongside Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and the bipartisan chairs of the Pennsylvania General Assembly's Agriculture Committees — Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, Rep. Dan Moul, Sen. Elder Vogel, and Sen. Judy Schwank. The Governor was joined by this group of bipartisan legislative leaders, who recently sent a joint letter to Congress urging federal officials to restore the $13 million in federal funding that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) abruptly and unlawfully terminated earlier this year. Together, they highlighted the critical importance of the Commonwealth's Local Food Purchase Assistance Program, which has supported 189 Pennsylvania farms and 14 food banks — helping farmers feed families in need. "Pennsylvania farmers work hard every day to put food on our tables — and with Washington breaking its promise to them, we're standing up for our farmers and food banks," said Shapiro. "This funding helps hundreds of family farms and food banks feed people in need. This isn't a partisan issue — it's about doing what's best for Pennsylvania farmers and communities, and about making sure the federal government keeps the contract it made with the people of Pennsylvania." Representatives Pashinski and Moul and Senators Vogel and Schwank are also calling on Congress to act swiftly to restore this critical funding for Pennsylvania's farmers and families. In their joint letter, they wrote: "As members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, we work across the aisle to uphold support for our farmers and food system in every community. The USDA's decision not only jeopardizes food access but also undermines the farmers who are the foundation of our food system and work tirelessly to keep America fed." Since 2022, nearly $30 million in LFPA funding has helped small and mid-sized farms across Pennsylvania supply fresh, locally grown products to food banks — keeping every federal dollar in the Commonwealth — and supporting farmers in the dairy, produce, meat, poultry, egg and grain sectors. Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Pennsylvania's economy, with more than 53,000 farms generating $132.5 billion annually and supporting 600,000 jobs. "This isn't just a bureaucratic disagreement — it's about real people, real livelihoods, and real meals for families who need them," said Redding. "We are deeply grateful to our legislative leaders for standing with us and ensuring that agriculture remains a united front in Pennsylvania." Meuser co-sponsors Reliable Power Act U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, co-sponsored H.R. 3616 — the Reliable Power Act — legislation that aims to ensure federal agencies consider the impact of their regulations on electric grid reliability before finalizing new rules. The bill is a direct response to growing concerns that rushed, ideologically-driven policies from the Biden Administration put America's power supply at risk. The Reliable Power Act aims to strengthen coordination between federal agencies and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission whenever new regulations could impact electric generation or threaten the long-term dependability of the bulk-power system. Meuser said it builds on the framework of previous grid reliability legislation by requiring annual assessments of electric reliability and empowering FERC to intervene if a proposed regulation would compromise the grid's integrity. Meuser said the bill prevents any federal rule from moving forward if it's determined to cause a substantial negative effect on grid reliability. He said this ensures agencies like the EPA can't implement new mandates without first understanding their real-world consequences for energy access, affordability and reliability — particularly in high-demand regions like Pennsylvania. "As we pursue energy innovation and independence, we must not sacrifice reliability," said Meuser. "This legislation is about keeping the lights on, protecting jobs, and ensuring that working families and small businesses aren't harmed by short-sighted or poorly coordinated federal policies. The Reliable Power Act makes clear that federal agencies must evaluate the consequences of their actions before putting our electric grid at risk." The legislation reported favorably out of the Energy and Commerce Committee by a vote of 28-23 and awaits further consideration in the House. Pennsylvania remains in strong fiscal standing The Shapiro Administration reported this week that the Commonwealth ended the 2024 — 25 Fiscal Year collecting $321 million more in revenue than originally estimated, further strengthening its position at the start of the fiscal year. The Commonwealth is sitting on a nearly $11 billion surplus, including the General Fund surplus and the Budget Stabilization Fund (i.e. rainy day fund). In total, the Commonwealth collected $46.4 billion in General Fund revenue in FY 2024 — 25, $321 million, or 0.7% above initial estimates from last June. Comparatively, the Commonwealth further outperformed the Independent Fiscal Office (IFO)'s original projection, which was $639 million below actual collections, or 1.4% off. Final collections were also within the 2% forecast range targeted by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. A recent bond refinancing will save taxpayers more than $71 million over the life of the bonds. Altogether, through bond refinancing completed under Shapiro, taxpayers will benefit from $193 million in savings over the next decade. Moody's Ratings, Fitch Ratings and S&P Global Ratings all reaffirmed Pennsylvania's positive rating status, citing responsible budgeting and a solid financial position. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
AI robots fill in for weed killers and farm hands
Oblivious to the punishing midday heat, a wheeled robot powered by the sun and infused with artificial intelligence carefully combs a cotton field in California, plucking out weeds. As farms across the United States face a shortage of laborers and weeds grow resistant to herbicides, startup Aigen says its robotic solution -- named Element -- can save farmers money, help the environment and keep harmful chemicals out of food. "I really believe this is the biggest thing we can do to improve human health," co-founder and chief technology officer Richard Wurden told AFP, as robots made their way through crops at Bowles Farm in the town of Los Banos. "Everybody's eating food sprayed with chemicals." Wurden, a mechanical engineer who spent five years at Tesla, went to work on the robot after relatives who farm in Minnesota told him weeding was a costly bane. Weeds are becoming immune to herbicides, but a shortage of laborers often leaves chemicals as the only viable option, according to Wurden. "No farmer that we've ever talked to said 'I'm in love with chemicals'," added Aigen co-founder and chief executive Kenny Lee, whose background is in software. "They use it because it's a tool -- we're trying to create an alternative." Element the robot resembles a large table on wheels, solar panels on top. Metal arms equipped with small blades reach down to hoe between crop plants. "It actually mimics how humans work," Lee said as the temperature hit 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius) under a cloudless sky. "When the sun goes down, it just powers down and goes to sleep; then in the morning it comes back up and starts going again." The robot's AI system takes in data from on-board cameras, allowing it to follow crop rows and identify weeds. "If you think this is a job that we want humans doing, just spend two hours in the field weeding," Wurden said. Aigen's vision is for workers who once toiled in the heat to be "upskilled" to monitor and troubleshoot robots. Along with the on-board AI, robots communicate wirelessly with small control centers, notifying handlers of mishaps. - Future giant? - Aigen has robots running in tomato, cotton, and sugar beet fields, and touts the technology's ability to weed without damaging the crops. Lee estimated that it takes about five robots to weed 160 acres (65 hectares) of farm. The robots made by the 25-person startup -- based in the city of Redmond, outside Seattle -- are priced at $50,000. The company is focused on winning over politically conservative farmers with a climate friendly option that relies on the sun instead of costly diesel fuel that powers heavy machinery. "Climate, the word, has become politicized but when you get really down to brass tacks farmers care about their land," Lee said. The technology caught the attention of Amazon Web Services (AWS), the e-commerce giant's cloud computing unit. Aigen was chosen for AWS's "Compute for Climate" fellowship program that provides AI tools, data center power, and technical help for startups tackling environmental woes. "Aigen is going to be one of the industry giants in the future," said AWS head of climate tech startups business development Lisbeth Kaufman. "I think about Ford and the Model T, or Edison and the light bulb -- that's Kenny and Rich and Aigen." gc/arp/des/mlm
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Do you need a 6-figure income to retire early? No — here are 5 money-growing moves for the under-$100K set
Think retiring early is out of reach because you don't make a six-figure salary? It takes careful planning and discipline, but it is still possible. About 60% of American retirees entered their golden years before they turned 65, with a median retirement age of 62, according to the 2025 EBRI/Greenwald Research Retirement Confidence Survey. I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Still, only one in 10 American retirees retired before they were 55 and about a quarter before they were 60. If you want to join that cohort but don't have a high income, you'll need to make some smart money moves (and a few sacrifices). In general, retiring early means spending less, saving more, investing wisely and finding ways to reduce your living expenses in retirement. We all know this, but what are some practical steps you can take today to get on the road to retiring early? Industry studies have shown that professional financial advice can add up to 5.1% to portfolio returns. But advisors can also help you navigate complex topics such as tax efficiency, retirement withdrawal timing and choosing suitable investments for your goals and risk tolerance. And they can help you stay on track and adjust your plan if necessary. Budgeting may seem too boring to be 'savvy,' but it's a key financial tool. A budget can help you understand your current finances, rein in your spending and shape your financial plan. Tracking your expenditures against your budget can even reveal new possibilities for saving. But you'll need two budgets. After tracking your current budget for a few months, you can use it to estimate your retirement budget (what you'll need to live off once you're retired). This will help determine how much you'll need to save to retire early. You'll want to review this retirement budget periodically and make adjustments as needed. **Read more: No millions? No problem. With as little as $10, here's how you can access this $1B private real estate fund of diversified assets usually only available to major players To retire early, you may need to save more than the 15% that's often suggested. If you want to join the Financial Independence and Retire Early (FIRE) movement and retire in your 30s or 40s, you may need to save up to 75% of your income. Whichever retirement age you're aiming for, you'll need discipline to reach your savings goals — and one way to maintain that discipline is to automate your savings. An easy way to do this is to make 401(k) contributions directly from your paycheck, but you can also set up direct deposit into a high interest savings or investment account. There are several apps that can help you automate your savings, including some that will round up your purchases and put the difference in a savings or investment account. Remember to increase your automated amount if you get a raise. And if you cut out a regular expense such as a subscription or membership to save money, add this amount to your automated payments. It will be difficult to retire early if you're carrying a large balance on a credit card or other high-interest debt. The savviest move is to not carry a balance — but life happens, so if you do have a balance, paying it down should be your No. 1 financial priority (along with building an emergency fund). Paying down a credit card with a 20% interest rate delivers an immediate 20% return, so it might make it easier to do if you think of it as investing. While you want to pay off high-interest debt as quickly as possible, you might want to consult with your advisor before accelerating your mortgage payments. If your mortgage rate is lower than your expected investment return, you may want to invest the money instead, but this decision will depend on your circumstances and preferences. Your biggest asset is likely your stream of future earnings, so to retire early you'll want to maximize this asset. While you could consider a side hustle or second job, look first at your current job and evaluate whether your time and energy might be better spent on developing your career to increase your future income stream. Consider whether you could make more from extra sales, a raise or a promotion — or if it makes more sense to take on a side gig. Retiring early takes planning and dedication — but not necessarily a six-figure income. This tiny hot Costco item has skyrocketed 74% in price in under 2 years — but now the retail giant is restricting purchases. Here's how to buy the coveted asset in bulk Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Money doesn't have to be complicated — sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Sign in to access your portfolio
