television companies and more including cox. >> homework can be hard, but squatting and adina for internetwork is even harder. that's why we're providing low income students access to affordable internet, so homework can just be homework. cox connects toompete. >> cox supports c-span is a public service along with these other television providers, giving you a front-row seat to democracy. >> friday the republican national committee meets with the election of its officers. candidates for our teacher include incumbent ronna mcdaniel, my co-ceo mike lindell. watch live at one p.m. eastern on c-span2, on c-span now are free mobile video app, or online at c-span.org. >> on tuesday, february 7, president biden gives the annual state of the union address

tlining his priorities to lawmakers a the nation. this will be hisirst speech to a jnt session of congress since republican won back control of the house. watch live coverage from the capita srting at 8 p.m. eastern on c-span, c-span now are free mobile video app, or online at c-span.org. >> a very good thursday morning to you. you can go ahead and start calling in now as we show you more from president biden from the white house yesterday. capability is general austin what day you has been critical. that's why the united states has committed hundreds of armored fighting eagles today including more than 500 as part of his assistance package we announced last friday. and today, today i'm announcing that the united states will be sending 31 abram tanks to ukraine, the equivalent of one ukrainian battalion. secretary austin is recommended

this step because it will enhance the ukraine's capacity to defend its territory and achieve its strategic objectives. the abrams tanks of the most capable tanks and the world. they are also extremely complex operate and maintain, so we're also giving ukraine the parts and equipment necessary to effectively sustain those tanks on theec battlefield. we'll begin to train the ukrainian troops on these issues of sustainment, logistics, and maintenance as soon as possible. delivering these tanks of the field is going to take time, time that will used to make sure the ukrainians are fully prepared to integrate the abram tanks into their defenses. >> host: president biden from the white house yesterday. reaction among republicans varied yesterday on a variety of reactions including from over secretary of state mike pompeo on twitter saying the fastest way to defeat russia and in the war is to give ukraine the weapons that it needs. this am senator lindsey graham pursuit of the this was over,

the better. the more stable to work will be. from house foreign affairs committee michael mccaul saying he's glad that purported to germany government will finally agreed to the transfer of its tanks. there's an excuse for the month-long delay here. marjorie taylor green with this tweet. the congresswoman saying to the present one article if it takes at america's southern border while the country is invaded every day and americans are being murdered in record numbers by chinese fentanyl. from the cartels. we serve thenu american people o pay for the tanks and our salaries, not presidentre zelensky. one more from thomas massie e republican of kentucky, saying we look weaker if burned-out shells of these iconic american takes begin to litter ukrainian fields and they're not coming back so that's 31 fewer tanks to defend the united states. some of the reaction on twitter yesterday among republicans. is one more from republican tom cotton, senator from arkansas on

fox news yesterday. this is what he t had to say. >> it's a welcome decision president biden and germany have decided fun to provide these tanks to ukraine but it's long overdue. a continues a pattern since before the war started of president biden being scared of his own shadow come with the declining the military support that the ukrainian army needs first to deter the war from starting in the firstee place ad in second to defend ukrainian territory and to fight back against brushes unprovoked war. it's an admission of their own mistakes not providing these tanks months ago, as you've seen time and time again for the last year when the administration explained some kind of weapon system or intelligence would be dangerously esculine to worry or provocative only to provide months later, too late for it to have been used to stop further advances or to facilitate further ukrainian advances. what we need to do to end this war to stop it from being any more protracted or bloodier is due back ukraine's army to the

hilt so they can defend their own territory. .. among republicans. reactions from democrats and having four members of congress join us in the first segment of washington journal from our cameras on capitol hill. get their reaction to talk about ongoing efforts to aid ukraine. we want to hear from you. do you think u.s. aid to ukraine has been too much? too little? about right? and a sp we got lines for all those reactions and a special line for current and former members of the military especially want you to join this discussion this morning in washington general. we'll start there. liz in virginia, good morning. >> good morning. i just retired a year ago from the military in iraq twice and

afghanistan once. looking at the situation, i believe we need to back out of it because something about -- to me it's like a sibling rivalry and we need to stay in our own lane and take care of our own land. >> on this issue of sending abrams tanks into this, what does that mean, what was your reaction to that? what will it mean on the battlefield in your experience? have you encounteredu those? >> total destruction. that's what it means. i feel as long as it's not the u.s. military there, i don't want to say i don't care but as long as it's not there, , it's t as there, that's fine. just don't send us their. it's just not worth it.

>> thank you for the call. michael in silver spring is next. the line for those, support is too little. >> i was saying to my wife about six months ago when i think president biden -- and i'm a democrat, i think he's a scared line. i was saying 18, 19, 20, 21-year-old american boys are running these tanks in america. then yesterday similar watching msnbc and general comes on and he says it's a lot of malarkey disease -- this is complex equipment.

his head we should be sending a whole division and i looked up the definition of a division and it was 250 tanks in a division, armored division. i'm saying 18, 19-year-old coming out and said we could have these guys driving these tanks within 30 days i'm going all my god. we should be -- we sent over hardware in fact south korea and sent over hardware plus men and we don't have to send men but we could send hardware. i think biden is just week and it's so upsetting. all military equipment is one way. it never comes back. c after world war ii my dad said

in japan they were pushing off equipment into the pacific ocean. it's one way. it's part of our industry, the number one industry in p americ. >> on the numbers here and additional support vehicle in terms of when they might reach the battlefield, it's not clear right now. washington times points out in their story, first tanks arrived in ukraine months from now, some officials sayai delivery of thes much as 12 months and a lot of questions about the training of troops use the vehicles. he was tanks according to the washington post will be purchased from manufacturers rather than transferred from existing american military f stockpiles. not immediately clear why the biden administration decided to

pursue purchasing new tanks for ukraine rather than sending the thousands already in the u.s. military inventory. the pentagon assesses that they don't have an excess a room, all are gainfully employed for our own national security defenses. that's according to john kirby, spokesperson for the white house national security council even as there were extras available, it would take many months to get them inn position and provide necessary training and maintenancee support. when they get there, who want to make sure they fall on ready hands, a quote from the washington post about the tanks. asking your thoughts on the level of the support provided, harold in san jose, california. good morning. what you think? >> good morning. i watch your show almost every day but i've only called a couple of times before. i want to say i agree with the

woman that was your first collar, former military person because her thoughts, what she said is exactly my thoughts, it's what i was going to say but she already said it but i do agree with her. we've done too much for ukraine. there are so many billions of dollars past 11 months. expended from us to them and we can use the money here in this country. >> in terms of just how much money has gone to ukraine the past 11 months, the foreign relations total that up the numbers continued to pickhe up o these are just through november of last year, the total posture was 48 billion according to counsel in foreign relations including 9.9 billion in humanitarian aid. 15.1 billion in financial aid and 23 billion in military aid.

the numbers out of state is at least $3 billion additional and military aid provided at the beginning of january so that would bump up to 26 billion and the announcement yesterday on the 31 and one abrams tanks and various support vehicles being sent. significant the above billing at this time in total aid. members in the military, savannah, tennessee. good morning. >> good morning. >> what are your thoughts on this tank transfer? >> i believe -- i agree with the last judgment that was on and the woman on first. i was part of the grenade invasion and that was overkill and i believe this -- given hard bullets and let their blood spill is what it seems like what'se happening.

war is hell. >> was that any level of support you were okaypp with or were wet the right level as some time in the past 11 months before we went too far? >> say that again. >> was there any level of support were okay with in the fight in ukraine? >> no, not really. got to protect our country. protecting there's, it's something they've got to do. it's a poor country, corrupt country and here we are trying to help them and revert he helped them way too much. we need to help ourselves before we help others. >> chris in savannah tennessee and pennsylvania, good morning.

>> good morning. americans need to wake up. biden is a good president and the president we have january 6, kill, kill, kill. i have military family all my life and i think he's doing a good job and people better wake up. i'm glad he's sending military over there because we could be next and when you see putin in china, youin think they can get away with this murder women, children and all. we are next. you got korea setting up missiles. i'm glad biden, he's a good president, they keep putting him down, they should have done that with trump. all these people who are racist, i'm sick of them. >> good morning, in maryland. you are next. >> good morning.

>> go ahead. >> i'm just worried about the timing of sending the tanks, what i read as they are going to sink in the mud in the springtime weather by the time they get out there and german tanks are much wider and can traverse much more easily. they should have done this a long time ago and they haven't done enough. >> you talk about the german tanks, germans decision here, the focus of the lead editorial in the editorial today. berlin will send their tanks if the united states, covid this yesterday, opening the door germany's tanks and allow tanks sent to other countries to be transferred to ukraine. here's more from president biden yesterday on germany and european efforts are.

>> contributions joined by an additional announcement including ready available and integrated for use on the battlefield in the coming weeks and months from other countries. i'm grateful for buying german tanks and lead an effort to organize europeanr country for two tank battalions to ukraine. ii want to thank the chancellor for his leadership and steadfast commitment to our collective efforts for ukraine. germany has really steppedge up and the chancellor has been a strong voice for unity, a close friend and level of effort we are going to continue. supporting ukraine's ability to fight off russian aggression a'd end integrity is a worldwide commitment. last week germany, secretary also convened ukraine defense contact groups for the eighth time. this group is made up of 15 --

50 nations each making contributions of their ownwn two ukraine's integrity. each fully committed to making ukraine stronger and able to defend against threats. want to think everyol number in the coalition for continuing to step up. the uk, united kingdom recently announced his donating tends to ukraine, france contributor amx pens, armor inviting equals and in addition to the upper tanks germany like united states is also sending a missile better. another one donating watches all donating critical air defense systems to help secure ukrainians skies and save lives of innocent civilians literally the target of russia's

graggression. poland sending armored vehicles from italy giving artillery, denmark and artillery sending houses. finland recently announced a large inspection of security assistance today. >> president biden from the white house yesterday, the washington times, german tanks expected to be on the battlefield in ukraine and m1 abrams, they expect to tanks to be operational on ukrainian data field by the end of march and that's from the washington times today. back to your phone calls asking thoughts on u.s. aid to ukraine, you think it's too much, too little, about right? henry in california that it's too much. >> this is the one issue people

you work for have lied about from the beginning. you don't publish any -- when you lead out a lot of information, is equal to live. >> what information are we leaving out? we're just asking your thoughts. >> we've been in ukraine since before 2013. we've had them working on dangerous experiments. we overthrew the presidency victor, we've been over there converting training and sending weapons way before any of this started and you never reported it and it's built on a pack of lies so you have a parade of guests who comee on. >> what would you like to see

the u.s. do here? >> we should have nothing to do with d this. only congress can declare war, we are attacking russia and we have three of the worst negotiators, they are not negotiating at all so we are iajust using quality ukraine be sacrificed in as we fight russia and russia is not our enemy and never has been. they fought with us on every war and no one ever brings that up. >> henry california as we saidh earlier, chatting with members of congress throughout the morning getting reaction to this announcement from president biden onou sunday tanks to ukrae in our first member of congress joining us, republican south dakota member of the arms services committee in foreign relations committee. good morning. >> good morning. >> i want yourd thoughts of the last colorsync russia is not our

enemy. how would you react to a statement like that? >> i would disagree, i do think russia is a threat right now, a threat to our allies in europe and suddenly they have been a challenger to us in the past. they've been on the other side of the issue whether looking at the middle east or for that matter, europe right now you haveve russia which has simply decided they'd rather take an aggressive tone in terms of looking at aggressively going into ukraine to begin with and there seems to be an understanding there that somehow they felt ukraine wanted them to come in which is not the case but they are the aggressor it's not a case of ukraine attacking russia, this is the case where ukraine was attacked by russia and russian forces are in ukraine. you haven't seen ukrainians in

russia and in this particular case in the one we are focused on right now, it's a case of stopping russian aggression next to nato countries. our concern is right now we don't have any men or women in uniform standing on the front lines in ukraine. we don't want that to happen. if russia were to aggressively go after one of the neighbors of ukraine and you would find article five packed in nato we would be in the middle of a battle.. we want young men and women over there and if ukraine was to fight this and they have the heart to do so in their homelands than we should do everything we can to provide with the appropriate weapons systems so they can send off russia taking an aggressive stance. >> are the takes appropriate weapons systems to provide right now? will it make a difference on the battlefield? >> it's one part of a battle group. i think the strikers and moreeys will probably be

effective earlier but abrams are the key to bring on the germans and the germans authorizing others to allow their main tanks to be used as well so abrams may not be as many in number as others will eventually be but most certainly they will be welcome. it takes time to train her mother are obligated. the weapons systems are not designed to fight in one spot and abramsra tank is an attack weapon, designed to clean things up.an the ukrainians will have to learn appropriate tactics to be used but it's a very effective weapon when usedon correctly. >> other armored vehicles u.s. is providing ukraine, other othercl weapons systems not provided right now that you think we should be providing?

>> one of the most importt parts is we not only provide weapons systems but appropriate training so they are used a effectively. i think we are moving in the right direction, i wish we would have moved more quickly with the delivery but let's start -- they need air protection and eventually aggressive air attack capabilities so i think you will see ukrainians asking whether it's helicopters or some aircraft at the appropriate time that would be okay as well. they've got weapons systems right now that could be used but they will need the actual weapons attached to the platforms themselves and i think we can help them in that regard when the time is right but the training has to come with it so it's a matter of combining not just the weapons systems you want to deliver, it's providing intel and cap ability and training to do it correctly so the systems are effective and can break the stalemate

occurring right now. >> what's the limit of u.s. support? is there a financial line? is there another line? >> one thing we should always do is not setys redlines for ourselves. we want russia to understand we are in this to have ukraine when and the sooner they understand that, the sooner they start looking at an appropriate solution acceptable to both countries the better off the world will be and russia will be long term. most wars do not and in decisive victories, most and with diplomats coming together and find appropriate ending and that is still a a possibility here bt russia will have to respect the fact that ukraine is a country by itself and should not be subject to russian aggression now or in the future. >> before you go, you have a busy day on capitol hill, foreign relations committee own

which you are a member of, russian aggression hearing from state department defense testifying before your committee today, what are you going to aso about and what you want to know? >> it will be a matter of what the effective approach we can take to find a positive outcome to the war going on right now what will the end look like? or can we do to bring about? how can we be most effective assisting ukrainian friends as they fight for the freedom in their country? >> republican of south dakota, a busy day on capitol hill you can hear behind him. thank you for stopping by and chatting with us this morning. before the foreignta relations,e are going to be airing c-span three today 10:30 a.m. eastern time and you can watch at c-span.org and free c-span now video up.

back to your phone calls as we chat with you about your thoughts on u.s. aid to ukraine over this now more than 11 month war in ukraine. you think it's too much, too little, about right? we have a special lineha for current and former members of military, who want to bring you into this discussion and get your thoughts on this tank transfer and what it means. 202-7488003. vincent in tulsa, oklahoma. i know you were on the line before the interview, thanks for waiting. >> how are you doing? >> what are your thoughts on u.s. aid and transfer? >> i think it's a mind game going on. they've got to obey what putin is saying and if zelenskyy wins in ukraine and other countries are going to challenge him so

putin better be aware of what he's up to two knock the guy out but either way like poland, i don't know -- but what about germany? they were selling for a long time, once they? >> germany is transferring tanks, poland was pushing to push tanks tanks of their own to their, earlier partners wanted to push heavy tanks to provide support. the thought now or what the senator said is what's next if we provide tanks, would you be okay with providing helicopters and fighters to ukraine aircraft? what you think should be the limit or should there be a

limit? >> putin is going to list -- people that are in prison, it's a good thing for him but ukraine had a stockpile at one time, why didn't they save them or get the plans to make it? >> this is james in washington, maryland just down the river. go ahead. >> i believe we've given too little in the sense that we should have gone one 100% pulling them earlier. i am sort of afraid sending tanks over right now because i want them to fall into the wrong hands. the other thing is that i am concerned about is if the world doesn't do anything about putin,

we are just giving russia a go ahead plan to just disrupt and called conflicts and stuff and other places and evolve into other countries we are trying to keep on our side rather than the russian side. we have the russians soe much n world war ii and they turned against us after world war ii. they put up this game of how many people they lost, they would have lost a whole bundle if not for us and how much we sacrificed helping them. i spent six years in the military. the part that i i spent in germy from 1964 to 1966, i really do think that was the most important part i spent in the military. i can justify that i can look

back now and really justify -- >> why was the most important? >> the russians at thatan particular time after all we've done for them was still trying to spread chaos and conflict. the other thing is here, the last defense appropriation budget, it's my understanding congress gave them 40 billion more than what they asked for so we are $4 billion ahead of what they asked for. our weapons have proven russians weapons are inferior two hours. my other concern is i want ukrainians to think it's just one group of people in this

country giving them aid, i want them to look atk us as a whole country, all the people here putting their money, tax money and stuff and hope for them. >> you said earlier you wanted to be one 100% supporting ukraine earlier, you feel at this f time united states is one 100% supporting ukraine? >> not exactly. we are the biggest supporters, the biggest supporters voice was and everything but we are justified helping these people. >> thanks for theou call, this s in long beach, california. good morning. >> i don't think we should send any aid to any country to fight a war.

when russia annexed crimea, president obama was asked, what are you going to do about this? obama accurately replied crimea does not fall within the sphere of the united states, it falls within the sphere of f russia ad what happens in that region is determined by russia if they want to annex. the biden administration, he really wants to wage war, he's going to make -- him sending weapons and getting other nations to send weapons into ukraine will be a flashpoint for another global war. i'm looking at a comments made in the 1950s after world war ii by a senator and he asked the secretary of defense, how -- he

said we are going to have to see some areas taken by the soviet but we are not going to find ourselves publicly committed all over the world. what he was saying is united states should not be in thed. business building empires for itself and that's what we are doing so freedom and rights versus oppression from russia has been going on since the 1950s, korean war, vietnam war, war on terror and we are waiting more on russia and to wage war on russia then we better be able to accept we will wage war on china, north korea and iran and any other allies in a man sick and tired of american empire using this to justify their invasion and oppression of those areas. >> the u.s.he supported much, al morning long chatting with viewers and members of congress

pointing arrows at capitol hill. next members of congress, abigail, the seventh district virginia. >> thank you for having me. >> if you are listening to the last call, i want your thoughts on the concern over if we are waging war with russia we should be prepared to wage war with china and other countries and bullet need to further worse? >> notably we are not waging war with russia, we are supporting a free country invaded by russia in their fight for freedom and their fight for democracy ensuring they have the tools and means necessary that communications aid, humanitarian aid and yes weapons and legal aid necessary for them to fight for freedom and defeat an

aggressor major crossing into the border and committed scountless atrocities across the country. >> in terms of the amount of susupport, is 31 and 18 from tas going to make a difference on the field? what is it mean in the fight that's happening now? >> coupleded with a couple thin. the other nations will be sending so it's part of the effort for the united states and partner nations to ensure ukrainians have the tools on the battlefield need. a month and a half ago i was speaking with a member of the ukrainian parliament telling me about the reality on the ground, a small former country fighting with soviet style military

against a large soviet country being russia more of this equipment and she was talking about the reality, they can have more technically advanced weaponry, weapons systems tanks on the battlefield and it will be incredibly helpful for their ability to continue their fight and ultimately defeat russian invaders so our actions and provision as well as partner nations is incredibly foreign and exactly what ukrainians are saying they need on the battlefield. >> republican from kentucky tweeted yesterday saying this is anyone you are tanks in the united states. in terms of that sentiment but the 50 billion in aid or so given, are you concerned this is depleting u.s. efforts to defend

itself to prepare for possible future wars? >> this isto where i disagree, e are making investments in our own national security, land work in russia and unchecked russia is a threat to our national security, a threat to our own economic security and left to go in and invade ukraine and ultimately move on to nato orders ultimately result would be u.s. engagement at a level far greater than whatre we are doing now supporting people who want to remain and doing it provide providing the support they need to wage that were. if russia were allowed to take over ukraine and partner nations were not joined together to ensure ukrainians in need, it would send a terrible message to

russiaia also a terrible message china and iran and other nations who want to see where the candy and invade other countries and whether the united states and other countries will stand by their side and their t defense. >> should there be a financial limit to u.s. eight, is there a red light in terms of a weapons system for what we provide? >> i think it is important to have continued oversight and last month end of the year legislation to ensure oversight of the systems we are sending to ukraine and dollars we are spending but importantly right now we are providing report in terms of material and weapons systems fighting their own more and their soldiers are dying in the battlefield demonstrating incredibly bravery and the commitment we have made as that will support them with the

material they need to make that happen try to make clear to the russian people and russian government sanctions in our diplomatic and economic relationship we reject and denounce their invasion and hold n atrocities within orders of ukraine and we should continue making clear our denouncement of the war against ukraine and continue support we are giving to ukrainian partners as they continue to fight for their own freedom. >> a final minute or so here, hugh corpora of, the fact that the most recent bill congress gave the pentagon what he billion, 44.6 billion more than the pentagon requested from congress for its budgets this year, what was that for how should the pentagon using the funding goingwa