President Biden Calls for $100 Billion in Supplemental Funding, Including Wartime Aid for Israel and Ukraine
In a televised address from the White House, President Biden has urged the nation and Congress to pass $100 billion in supplemental funding. This request includes substantial aid for Israel and Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of American leadership in the world.
President Biden’s speech, his second from the Oval Office, follows a recent visit to Israel, where he held meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli President Isaac Herzog. During his impassioned speech, the President argued that the well-being of Israel and Ukraine is integral to the national security interests of the United States.
Biden stated, “American leadership is what holds the world together. American alliances are what keep us, America, safe. American values are what make us a partner that other nations want to work with. To put all that at risk if we walk away from Ukraine, if we turn our backs on Israel, it’s just not worth it. That’s why tomorrow I’m going to send to Congress an urgent budget request to fund America’s national security needs, to support our critical partners, including Israel and Ukraine. It’s a smart investment that’s going to pay dividends for American security for generations.”
The supplemental funding request is reported to include $60 billion for Ukraine and replenishing U.S. stockpiles, $14 billion for Israel, $10 billion for humanitarian efforts, $14 billion for the U.S. border with Mexico, and $7 billion for the Indo-Pacific region. However, detailed information on the proposal has not yet been released by the White House.
President Biden stressed the vital connection between the United States’ national security and the success of Israel and Ukraine. He argued that history has shown that when terrorists and dictators go unchallenged, they continue to sow chaos and destruction, leading to increased threats to America and the world. The President made it clear that, despite political divisions in Congress, the U.S. must not allow terrorists or tyrants to prevail.
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While reaffirming the U.S.’s commitment to Israel, President Biden also emphasized the importance of recognizing the humanity of Palestinians who seek peace. He strongly condemned any displays of hatred against Jews, Muslims, or Palestinians in the United States.
During his visit to Israel, President Biden announced a $100 million aid package to assist civilians in Gaza and the West Bank, underscoring America’s unwavering support for Israel.
However, passing this aid through Congress currently faces obstacles due to the absence of an elected House speaker. Israel has suffered significant casualties during recent attacks by Hamas, and President Biden vowed to work on securing the release of U.S. citizens believed to be held by the terrorist group. Israel is also continuing airstrikes on Gaza, leading to a high number of casualties among Palestinians.
Despite these challenges, President Biden’s address underscores his commitment to maintaining American leadership and supporting critical allies in a complex and evolving global landscape.
- Inputs from CBS News
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