Inhofe: Obama has ceded global influence to Russia

A senior Republican lawmaker said the day when U.S. surrenders its global influence and leaves a vacuum to be filled Russia “is here.”

“Throughout this Administration, I have also warned that if the United States does not maintain a ready and capability military, we would surrender our global influence and leave a vacuum that will be filled by Russia. I warned this day was coming, and it is here,” Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Service Committee, said in a statement Monday.

{mosads}Inhofe also blamed Russia’s recent actions on cuts made to the defense budget since Obama entered office.

“The arrogant actions of President Putin and Russia in recent days is a direct result of President Obama’s disarming of America since the beginning of this Administration,” Inhofe said.

Over the past five years, Obama cut the F-22, the only fifth-generation fighter, the C-17, and the Army’s Future Combat Systems, Inhofe said. In addition, the administration cut $487 billion from the Pentagon’s budget, Inhofe added. That amount was doubled in 2011 when lawmakers were unable to agree on how to close at $1 trillion deficit.

“His disarming of America over the past five years limits our options in Ukraine today. I just returned from Georgia in January, and they fear Russia will further invade their territory next,” said Inhofe.

“President Obama’s attempt to seek peace through apologetic diplomacy while defunding and dismantling our military has failed. Today our enemies don’t fear us and our allies no longer respect us.”