Classified Senate Meeting Gets Heated as Tempers Boil

(NationRise.com) – Tempers flared among senators during a Ukraine briefing Tuesday as Republicans insisted on the importance of border security while Democrats fought for more funding in the ongoing conflict with Russia.

While the briefing was classified, reports seem to indicate strong feelings over supplemental funding for border security. Senate Democrats wanted to focus exclusively on new funding for Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia. However, senate Republicans began questioning whether it was a more significant issue than the invasion at the southern border.

During the meeting, Mitch McConnell (R-KY) requested that Senator James Lankford (R-OK) discuss border security rather than Ukraine funding. Lankford then spent several minutes discussing the importance of border security rather than billions more in funding for Ukraine.

Senator Todd Young (R-IN) echoed the frustration of Republicans to focus on Ukraine’s war with Russia rather than border security. He said several Republicans were frustrated with a lack of focus on the border and the drastic increase in illegal crossings. Most Senate Republicans attending the briefing believe that it poses a greater ongoing threat to national security.

Chuck Schumer (D-NY), the Senate Majority Leader, also accused Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) of shouting and being “disrespectful” during the briefing. Cotton accused participants of “refusing to answer questions” about border security and the national security threat he believes it poses. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said that’s what fueled the tensions. Cotton has previously accused the Biden administration of hiding the dangers of open borders from the American public.

Republicans have insisted that border security measures must be tied to Ukraine funding bills in order to garner their support. They are demanding more strict border policies.

Mitt Romney (R-UT) insisted that Republicans do care about the conflicts in Israel and Ukraine, but also know that the border must be secured.

During the meeting, Senator Angus King (I-ME), who typically sides with Democrats, acknowledged the supplemental funding for border security as a legitimate agenda item. He encouraged Democrats to discuss the issue since it was one of the few occasions that they all gathered together.