Hours after he announced this in his prime time address to the nation from the Oval Office, US President Joe Bidenthis Friday formalized his request to Congress for a new budget package that includes: $61.4 billion military aid to Ukraine And 10.6 billion to Israel and others in the same concept 3.7 billion to increase embassy protection American and 9,150 million to provide humanitarian aid is linked to these conflicts.
“These conflicts may seem distant, but their outcome is We fight for democracy against terrorism and oppression “These are vital to the security of the American people,” he said in his call to the press. Jake Sullivan, national security advisor Biden repeating the president’s message from the day before.
The total amount of the budget request is approximately $106 billion and also includes 14,450 for security at the Mexican border, 3,400 for investments in the submarine industrial base Americans, 2 billion to aid the Indo-Pacific and others 2 billion against China In the financing of developing countries.
paralysis of congress
The request was somehow formalized Letter to Patrick McHenry, speaker pro tempore of the Lower Housebut it is not even possible to discuss it until a decision is reached. paralyzed at home A process frustrated by divisions among Republicans as a ‘speaker’ is chosen. This morning third vote about his candidacy Jim Jordann, everything once again awaits the defeat of the far-right congressman from Ohio Endorsed by Donald TrumpFacing stiffer than expected resistance from moderates, one argued: “Jordan will never be president.”
Even if activity in the Lower House is reactivated, there is no guarantee that Biden’s proposal will proceed. Although Republicans are completely united on aiding IsraelPredictions for continuation of aid to Ukraine. It remains to be seen whether they will support an aid package that includes both, as well as items on a conservative priority such as border security. And in the final agreement reached prevent government shutdownThe legislation, which proposes a temporary extension of the fund that expires on November 17, was supported only by some Republicans, not including $6 billion in aid to Ukraine.
Humanitarian concern for Gaza
Moreover, this situation is beginning to be felt more and more among the Democratic ranks. Discomfort over the impact of Israel’s military operation and siege on Gaza After the October 7 attack, Hamas civilian population Palestine. In a poll released by CBS immediately after yesterday’s speech, 53 percent of Democrats and 55 percent of independents They believed in the USA Weapons and materials should not be sent Israel. In the same survey 70 percent of Democrats and 59 percent of independents instead they supported Sending humanitarian aid to Palestinians In Gaza.
In his call to the press, Sullivan assured: “All Arms transfers, including to Israel is deep-rooted Basic recommendation that they be used in accordance with the laws of armed conflict”. “There is no exception here,” he said. “The President’s expectations are very clear and he has expressed them many times, and they are also included in his statements. public and private To the Israeli government.”