Yavapai News

U.S. Rep. Eli Crane (R-Ariz.) said using more federal tax dollars to send funding to Ukraine should be "totally off the table" and Congress should instead focus on securing the U.S. southern border. 

"We’re funding what appears to be yet another forever war that will bankrupt future generations — all while disregarding our own security as our southern border remains open," Crane said in a Fox News Digital article. "It’s absurd that overnighting more tax dollars to Ukraine is even a consideration. It should be totally off the table and replaced with a push for peace talks."

Crane made the comments in light of House Speaker Mike Johnson's (R-La) plans to push forward a foreign aid package when the House reconvenes. House Republicans stopped the proposed $118 billion funding package with aid for Ukraine, Taiwan, Israel and the U.S. border earlier this year, and now debate a new Senate-passed $95 billion package for foreign aid that does not include border security measures. 

Johnson has suggested a plan that adjusts the Senate proposal, with portions of the funding for Ukraine coming from liquidating seized Russian assets and requiring portions of the aid to be given as a loan to the country to be repaid. Johnson has not detailed any specific border security measures as part of his plan. 

Eli Crane is currently serving in the U.S. Congress, representing Arizona’s 2nd district. He replaced previous U.S Congress member Tom O'Halleran in 2023. Crane, 43, was born in Tucson, Arizona in 1980. He currently lives in Oro Valley.