Senator Lindsey Graham pushes for loan to Ukraine

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – As more international support flows to Ukraine allies are waiting for the U.S.  to make a move.

The Biden administration is putting pressure on Congress to pass further aid, but the effort has stalled.

“Ukraine’s survival is in danger. And America’s security is at risk,” said Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

At a meeting of Ukrainian allies in Germany, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the U.S. must step up to help Ukraine.

“They don’t have a day to waste, and we don’t have a day to spare either,” said Austin.

That effort is facing resistance back home.

Senator J.D. Vance (R-Ohio.) is among a growing group of Republicans who say there isn’t enough accountability.

“We just don’t know where a lot of our Ukrainian aid dollars have gone,” said Vance.

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) has been one of the top Ukraine supporters in the Senate but during a trip to Ukraine this weekend he said it’s time to change course.

“I’m all in for helping Ukraine, but we have to do it in a form of a loan,” said Graham.

He argued a no-interest loan might get more political traction among lawmakers than giving direct aid.

“This is going to be a new way of doing business. I think it will get more public support back home,” he added.

The Senate has already passed a package with more money for Ukraine and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is urging House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to bring it up for a vote.

“Every day the National Security Supplemental stands as a Senate passed bill and not a law is a day that America’s adversaries smile,” McConnell said.

So far Speaker Johnson hasn’t made a commitment to do that which leaves Ukraine and its supporters anxiously waiting.

“I’m optimistic we will see some action moving forward,” Austin said.

Congress has a full week. They need to pass a funding package before Friday’s deadline.

President Biden wants Congress to approve another $60 billion to help Ukraine but the administration says most of that would be spent here in the U.S. on weapons manufacturing with only $12 billion going directly to Ukraine.

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