- President Joe Biden is seeking a $105 billion security aid package for Ukraine, Israel, the U.S. southern border, and more.
- The request comes with Congress’ business at a standstill as House Republicans battle each other over who should be the speaker.
The Biden administration on Friday requested more than $105 billion from Congress to support the security needs of Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and the U.S. southern border.
President Joe Biden’s primary request in the package is over $61 billion for Ukraine. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the U.S. has provided $44 billion in security assistance, according to the State Department.
He’s also calling for an additional $14.3 billion for Israel, $2 billion for Taiwan and Indo-Pacific security, and a little over $9 billion for humanitarian assistance.
Israel is at war with Hamas after the militant group launched a shocking and brutal terrorist attack on October 7th. Meanwhile, rising tensions surround Taiwan, which China claims as its own.
The White House stated that the supplemental funding request will invest approximately $50 billion in the U.S. defense industry.
“The funding will expand production lines, strengthen the American economy, keep us safe, and create new American jobs,” said Shalanda Young, director of the Office of Management and Budget, on a call with reporters.
The request comes as business in Congress is at a standstill, with the House GOP divided over who should be the speaker. Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio is pushing for a third vote after two failed attempts to secure the gavel.
Additionally, the White House is seeking $6.4 billion for border operations, countering Republican criticism of insufficient efforts to address migration from Latin America. The request also includes about $1.2 billion for countering fentanyl and its wave of deadly overdoses in the United States.
Young placed the blame on Congress for inadequate resources at the southern border.
“Some in Congress have talked a lot about border security without following through on our $4 billion request submitted in August,” Young said.
“We will not be lectured by those who refuse to act. As we’ve said repeatedly, Congress needs to take action to provide sufficient resources for the border,” she added.
National security advisor Jake Sullivan described the budget request as a reflection of U.S. leadership on the world stage.
“This budget request is critical to advancing America’s national security and ensuring the safety of the American people,” said Sullivan, adding “The world is closely watching what Congress does next.”
In a rare prime-time Thursday evening speech from the Oval Office, Biden previewed the funding request, calling it a “smart investment that’s going to pay dividends for American security for generations.”
Biden said the additional funds for Israel’s and Ukraine’s war efforts will “help us keep American troops out of harm’s way, help us build a world that is safer, more peaceful, and more prosperous for our children and grandchildren.”
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