FOX News senior foreign affairs correspondent Greg Palkot reports on Iron Dome interceptions above Ashdod, Israel. The Senate is back in session Tuesday, and funding the government with aid to Israel and Ukraine will be at the heart of negotiations. A source familiar with the talks told Digital the upper chamber will be awaiting the official supplemental request from the Biden administration before an official package is drafted, which could take more than a week.
The upper chamber was briefed on a call last week by the administration on a “mega package” request that would combine aid to Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan, and border security, according to a source familiar. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell are expected to discuss this topic during their weekly luncheons and corresponding press conferences.
The Senate Intelligence Committee is also set to convene for a closed-door briefing on Tuesday, where aid to Israel and Ukraine is likely to be a topic of discussion. Additionally, Attorney and former Secretary of the Treasury Jack Lew, nominated to be ambassador to Israel, will have a hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday. A vote will be scheduled following the hearing.
It is worth noting that Senator Tommy Tuberville, a Republican from Alabama, is resistant to military nominations being pushed through until the Pentagon reverses its abortion policy. This stance remains unchanged despite the ongoing conflict in Israel.
The expected floor action for the week will focus on three separate appropriations bills combined into one legislative package for the 2024 fiscal year. This package includes funding for the Food and Drug Administration, as well as the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development. The temporary spending patch agreed upon by the Senate before the September 30 deadline will expire on November 17.
This article highlights the significance of negotiations in the Senate regarding funding for Israel and Ukraine. The Biden administration’s official supplemental request is awaited, and discussions are ongoing regarding a potential “mega package” that would combine aid to multiple countries and border security. The Senate Intelligence Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will also play a role in determining the outcome of these negotiations. However, Senator Tuberville’s resistance to military nominations remains a potential obstacle.
