OPINION:
Mike Pence’s recent column touting the $95 billion defense aid package as a “bipartisan triumph” is a prime example of why Republicans keep losing elections (“Foreign aid package should be celebrated as rare legislative win,” web, May 9).
According to the former vice president, his organization, Advancing American Freedom, spent $2 million waging an ad campaign to pressure Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer to bring the legislation to the floor. Why? It does nothing to secure America’s own border. (And Mr. Schumer already supported the legislation, so why spend the $2 million?)
The majority of Republicans in Congress opposed the legislation. And sure enough, despite the $26 billion in aid to Israel, President Biden is withholding weapons deliveries and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel “will stand alone.” Any Republican who is not a sucker saw this coming.
Mr. Pence is touting essentially Democratic legislation that admittedly drew some support from Republicans like him. So, yes, it was “bipartisan” — but if bipartisanship is Mr. Pence’s goal and he considers himself a Republican, his efforts would be better spent on GOP legislation that would draw some support from moderate Democrats, such as a measure to secure the border.
JAMES RYAN
Silver Spring, Maryland
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