In a press briefing, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council John Kirby announced that he would veto an Israel-only supplemental package if passed by Congress. The House Speaker, Mike Johnson, is scheduled to meet with Senate GOP leaders to reconcile their differences and finalize the Biden administration’s approximately $106 billion national security supplemental aid package. This aid package has been under deliberation for several weeks, with discussions focusing on border security, Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has announced that a vote on the package will take place next week, with the aim of keeping Ukraine and Israel aid tied together. However, the House has already passed a $14.3 billion Israel-only aid package, which also included significant cuts to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). It is unlikely that this package will pass the Democrat-controlled Senate or receive approval from the White House without funding for Ukraine.
Schumer emphasized the Senate’s rejection of the House GOP’s proposal, stating that they will work on their own bipartisan emergency aid package. The White House’s supplemental request, sent to Congress in October, includes $61.4 billion for Ukraine, $14.3 billion for Israel (with $10.6 billion allocated for military aid), $13.6 billion for border measures, and significant investments in Indo-Pacific security assistance, totaling around $7.4 billion. Additionally, there is $9 billion earmarked for humanitarian aid in Ukraine, Israel, and Gaza.
The Democrats’ challenge lies in addressing the influx of migrants at the border, which has complicated plans for bipartisan passage of the aid package. Republicans in the Senate argue that tighter border security provisions must be included and that the current form of the package does not adequately address the issue of illegal entries.
House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed readiness to provide more funding to Ukraine if it is tied to the GOP’s vision of border security provisions. He emphasized the importance of not allowing Vladimir Putin to march through Europe and stated that negotiations are ongoing to ensure that assistance to Ukraine and changes in border policy move together.
The decision on the $106 billion national security supplemental aid package is critical for the Biden administration and Congress. As the Senate prepares for a vote, the outcome will have significant implications for the United States’ relationship with Ukraine, Israel, and its approach to border security.
Jamie Joseph, a writer covering politics, leads the digital coverage of the Senate. Stay updated with the latest news from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews, and more political content by subscribing to the newsletter.
