After postponing its appearance several times, causing yet another unprecedented violation of its own laws, the US government led by Donald Trump finally appears before the US Senate to provide explanations regarding the defense and foreign policy actions that the administration is undertaking.
However, rather than justify his actions or the start of a war with Iran that squanders both the country’s missile arsenal intended for deterrence and the budget and funds set aside, Marco Rubio appeared before the Upper House with a proposal for a 30% reduction in the business budget. foreign countries, while seeking to increase military spending by 50%. This proposal must be approved by Congress.
According to Reuters, which is currently covering the speech live, significant cuts have been proposed for many key federal departments, including a 19 percent reduction for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 12.5 percent for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. and social services, and 52% for the environmental protection agency.
“All of this, and much more, reflects this administration’s belief that foreign policy cannot be separated from economic policy, border policy, energy policy, or any other sphere.” Rubio a déclaré. “A country that cannot build ships, produce medicines, control immigration or access vital resources cannot defend its people, its interests or its way of life. That is why our foreign policy is refocused on the true foundations of national strength. This budget is a step further in this direction.”
At this point, the main reaction to his speech came from Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen of the Foreign Affairs Committee, who chastised Rubio for failing to provide Congress with information about the administration’s foreign policy plans.
“Instead, you sent Congress a War Powers Notice stating that we were not in active hostilities with Iran, while the United States was carrying out strikes against Iran and Iran was bombing U.S. embassies and bases across the Middle East.”
Rubio told senators that Iran intends to develop its conventional weapons capabilities as a “shield” for its nuclear program.
“What they tried to do was build a conventional shield and hide behind that conventional shield.”he said, explaining why Trump considered it imperative to launch war.
Rubio also outlined the administration’s intentions regarding escalating tensions in the Pacific between Taiwan and China, saying: “The most important thing to understand is that we want the status quo to remain as it is now. That is our policy.”
Marco Rubio’s statement is expected to continue throughout the day today and tomorrow.
