The White House has requested more than $105 billion in aid for Ukraine, Israel, and other national security needs, in line with President Joe Biden’s Oval Office address. If approved, Ukraine would receive $61.4 billion in aid, while Israel would receive $14.3 billion. The proposal also includes funding for U.S. border operations, support for migrants, and efforts to counter fentanyl. President Biden emphasized the importance of this investment for American security and a safer world. The funding for Ukraine will go towards additional weapons and equipment, support for critical services, assistance for displaced Ukrainians, and nuclear and radiological incident response capabilities. Meanwhile, aid to Israel will fund air and missile defense systems’ readiness, replenish stockpiles, and enhance embassy security. The White House has urged Congress to address the request swiftly. However, the approval process faces obstacles in the House, as it currently lacks a speaker. The Senate Appropriations Committee has scheduled a hearing on the funding request, and bipartisan collaboration is underway to craft a strong package. Some Republican senators have called for aid to Israel and Ukraine to be separated. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has stated that the Senate will draft its own legislation based on the President’s request.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
