As wars rage, Biden administration to make case for $106 billion for Ukraine, Israel
Joe Biden's top advisers will try to convince U.S. lawmakers on Tuesday that it is in the country's best interest to provide billions more dollars to Ukraine and Israel despite huge budget deficits and divisions over his administration's policies toward both countries.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will testify to the Senate Appropriations Committee on Biden's request for $106 billion to fund ambitious plans for Ukraine, Israel and U.S.
border security.
Arguing that supporting U.S. partners is vital to national security, Biden requested $61.4 billion for Ukraine, about half of which would be spent in the United States to replenish weapons stocks drained by previous support for Kyiv.
Biden also asked for $14.3 billion for Israel, $9 billion for humanitarian relief — including for Israel and Gaza — $13.6 billion for U.S.
border security, $4 billion in military assistance and government financing to counter China's regional efforts in Asia.
Congress has already approved $113 billion for Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022, but Biden's $24 billion request for more funds in August never moved ahead. The White House has said it has less than $5.5 billion in funds to continue transferring weapons from U.S.
stockpiles to Ukrainian forces fighting Russia.
Republicans divided
The path forward for Biden's latest funding plan looks uncertain. Democrats — and many Republicans — in the Democratic-majority Senate back Biden's strategy of combining Ukraine aid with support for Israel.
«This is a moment for swift and decisive action to prevent further loss of life and to impose real consequences on the tyrants who have terrorized the people of Ukraine and of Israel,» Senate
