Posted on 11/01/2019 1:24:38 PM PDT by yesthatjallen
Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) on Friday firmly defended some of President Trump's actions involving Ukraine that are now at the center of the House impeachment inquiry.
Asked about a partial transcript of Trump's July 25 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky, Arrington said on Hill.TV's "Rising" that he felt the contents of the conversation were "appropriate."
"I think it was appropriate. I would go beyond appropriate," Arrington said. "I commend him for being a fiduciary and actually caring about how much we pay to support our allies relative to others."
The GOP lawmaker was referring to Trump's argument that he held up nearly $400 million in congressionally approved military aid for Ukraine in order to push other European countries to contribute to the cause.
House Democrats, however, have been probing whether Trump tied the release of the aid to Ukraine's willingness to launch investigations sought by Trump involving the 2016 election and former Vice President Joe Biden, a top political rival running for president.
Arrington went on to argue on Friday that Trump's conduct in the July 25 call stemmed from his efforts to ensure that controls were in place to prevent any corruption or graft from Ukraine when it came to the military aid it was set to receive.
"You can't give these countries money, specifically Ukraine, because of their history of corruption, without insuring that they have controls in place, they've got accountability measures in place, and that they're doing everything they can to root out graft and corruption," he said. "Again, that was the whole premise of the conversation."
SNIP
(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...
The Ukrainian President said Ukraine wasn’t quite ready to buy the Javelins during the phone call.
Finally, now the other 300 Republicans need to do the same.
It was established during Nixon’s time that Presidents don’t have the right to impound money the law requires be spent.
Obviously there was a condition placed on the funds that wasn’t satisfied.
Lets hear some of Obama’s calls to world leaders looking for dirt on Trump ,there should be hours and hours of them
Of course it is. When is fighting crime not appropriate?
“It was established during Nixon’s time that Presidents don’t have the right to impound money the law requires be spent.”
Never heard of this.
Suppose the Congress appropriates a billion dollars to Country X, such funds to be dispersed no later than 6 months from date of budget agreement. Meanwhile 1 or 2 months before the funds are to be dispersed there is a military coup in that country and it is taken over by rabid anti American jihadists.
Are saying the funds cannot be held up or simply stopped? It sure seems that is exactly what you are saying.
every R should be saying this. Trying to claim no pressure was put on Ukraine is a losing strategy. It’s playing the rats hand.Every R should be screaming Trump actually following the law by trying to get to the bottom of the corruption. The Rats will come up with “proof” that Ukraine was pressured so get in front of it and point out there is a law requiring Trump to do this.
“...defended some of President Trump’s actions...”
Wow. How daring and brave.
And, he even managed to say it without the usual obligatory, “even though he is offensive to many”.
Wonder how many more will step up to the line and show their courage? Just go away already. Pffftt.
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