Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla) has teamed up with Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.) across party lines to oppose the Biden administration’s approval of sending cluster bombs to Ukraine.
Gaetz posted a clip of his podcast to Twitter explaining the situation. In the video, he states, “Democrats used to call the use of cluster bombs a war crime. And that war crime is now an American export.”
Check out his remarks below:
BREAKING: I will be the Republican co-sponsor on the NDAA amendment introduced by @RepSaraJacobs to stop the transfer of cluster bombs.
— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) July 10, 2023
These cluster bombs will not end the war in Ukraine and will not build a more stable country.
Children will be left without limbs and without… pic.twitter.com/xmu8KAWPEt
He discussed the National Defense Authorization Act and explained how it determines yearly military policy. Gaetz then recognized the new amendment to this act put forth by Jacobs.
He read the main point of the amendment which states:
“Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no military assistance shall be furnished for cluster munitions. No defense export license for cluster munitions may be issued and no cluster munitions or cluster munitions technology shall be sold or transferred.”
Then Gaetz declared, “I’m going to be the Republican co-sponsor of the Jacobs amendment before the House Rules Committee. We have an opportunity with bipartisanship to stand against the warmongering Bidens.”
On Sunday, President Joe Biden defended his recent decision to agree to send cluster bombs to Ukraine, per CNN.
He stated, “They either have the weapons to stop the Russians now – keep them from stopping the Ukrainian offensive through these areas – or they don’t. And I think they needed them.”
Jacobs posted a recent BBC interview clip to Twitter where she explained her decision to oppose Biden on this issue.
She said:
“Sending cluster munitions is going to increase civilian casualties. It’s going to erode allied unity — 23 of our NATO allies have signed on to the convention against cluster munitions. And it’s going to make it harder for us to call out Russia and other people’s use of cluster munitions as we’re seeking the moral high ground in this conflict.”
Watch the video below:
I’ve strongly supported Ukraine's ability to defend itself against Russia's illegal invasion. But I disagree with the decision to send cluster munitions. Despite best intentions, cluster munitions are unpredictable and risk maiming or killing innocent civilians. pic.twitter.com/ClspIzzZLR
— Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (@RepSaraJacobs) July 10, 2023
Gaetz agreed in his support post. He wrote on Twitter, “These cluster bombs will not end the war in Ukraine and will not build a more stable country.”
“Children will be left without limbs and without parents because of this decision if we do not work together in a bipartisan fashion to stop it,” he added.