Ukraine and Israel Funding Sparks House and Senate Showdown

The Biden administration has requested $14.3 billion in additional assistance to Israel and $61.4 billion in supplemental aid to Ukraine. While Israel and Ukraine face separate conflicts, Congress is divided over whether to intertwine or separate the aid to the two countries. The administration’s supplemental request totals $105 billion, which includes funding for border security and the Indo-Pacific.

For Ukraine, the administration has requested $44.4 billion in overall military aid, while for Israel, they have asked for $10.6 billion in air and missile defense assistance. The administration is also seeking $9.15 billion in humanitarian assistance for Gaza, Israel, and Ukraine.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has expressed that he wants to pair Israel funding with Ukraine assistance, viewing them as interconnected issues. However, House Speaker Mike Johnson wants assistance to Jerusalem and Kyiv kept separate, emphasizing the need for the White House to provide accountability for the allocated funds.

At least nine Senate Republicans have also called for separate aid to Israel and Ukraine, believing that bundling these priorities together may risk a government shutdown. On the other hand, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for passing President Biden’s funding request for both countries.

While Israel has historically received billions annually from the United States, there is some sentiment among certain members of Congress that assistance to both Jerusalem and Kyiv should be reconsidered due to the country’s debt and other pressing issues such as border security and China’s aggression in East Asia.



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