The USA Congress needs to play a larger role when foreign dignitaries visit Washington, DC. Members of the US House and US Senate should receive them to understand their visit more clearly. The US Congress maintains the budget for the USA and it is THEY that will provide funding for military assistance and/or domestic programs.
In the case of Ukraine, there should have been no interruption in funding that cost lives in Ukraine's military. Ukraine needs to make it clear the harm done during the time the funding was held exclusively by Trump. The Ukraine President won't want to do that thinking his only contact that matters is Trump. He will pander to Trump's demands for dialogue.
The president of Ukraine, regardless of the year and who was in office, should have had a strong relationship with at least one US House member and one US Senator. If he had that "back-up" when the funding was delayed a Whistleblower would not be necessary and an investigation could have begun immediately. Additionally, if legislation were needed to end the shortfall of funding in case the POTUS decided unilaterally to break the law in favor of Russia and his own politics, it could begin immediately and urgently.
When the USA is funding foreign governments for whatever reason it is, there need to be Congress persons involved AS A RESOURCE to be sure the needs are clear and carried out in the legislation. Additionally, Congresspersons can act against an irreverent president such as Impeached President Trump.
The impeachment of Trump is real. Changes have to occur in order to maintain our democracy and that of the countries the USA cares about. Impeach President Trump cannot be trusted and it is a fact. Because the Republicans ran their particular brand of politics and exonerated a deeply corrupt Impeached President Trump doesn't mean the status quo is a healthy one. There needs to be Congress persons involved with foreign dignitaries when they visit Washington, DC.
Those allies that come to Washington, DC for a visit should be encouraged to meet with other states and their governors and mayors. Sister cities should be encouraged and perhaps insisted upon. Presidents and Prime Ministers of allies should be welcome in any place in the USA. Security can be an issue, but, I am confident it can be accomplished even in soliciting help from the FBI and Secret Service. I am sure the USA is capable of working with foreign security agents to bring "the real" USA to all those we consider allies.
It isn't as though it hasn't been done before.
By Jill Lawless
New Orleans - Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, (click here) the Duchess of Cornwall, flew into New Orleans on Friday for a brief glimpse of the ravaged city and a chance to meet a few of the hundreds of thousands of people whose lives were turned upside down by Hurricane Katrina.
The couple, after a ceremony at the airport to greet their flight from Washington, went to the impoverished Lower Ninth Ward, which was all but obliterated when water breached one of the levees that protected the city.
Standing atop a patched 20-foot levee, they shook their heads in disbelief at the destruction: splintered homes, chunks of concrete, overturned cars. The couple also met residents and rescue workers.
Tommy and Gloria Jones, who lost their house in the disaster, presented Charles and Camilla with a gift of a Mardi Gras doll and a picture frame....
What occurred with Ukraine can never happen again. I understand Impeached President Trump espoused hatred toward other political leaders at the National Prayer Breakfast. Really?
The USA needs leadership and there are perfectly wonderful people in the US Congress capable of stepping into that breach. I strongly suggest they do so. I know I look forward to more legislation from US Senator Romney.
The time is now to protect the USA Constitution in whatever way the people and Congress can, including assurances to allies.
