The Biden administration has requested $14.3 billion in additional assistance to Israel and $61 billion in supplemental aid to Ukraine. Congress is divided over whether to intertwine or separate aid to Israel and Ukraine as the conflict between Israel and Hamas intensifies and Russia attacks Ukraine.
The requested assistance includes $44.4 billion in overall military aid for Ukraine and $10.6 billion in air and missile defense assistance for Israel. Additionally, the administration is seeking $9.15 billion in humanitarian assistance for Gaza, Israel, and Ukraine.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell believes that Israel funding should be paired with Ukraine assistance, stating that it is all interconnected. He emphasizes the importance of swift and decisive action to prevent further loss of life and impose consequences on those who terrorize Ukraine and Israel.
Congress has passed five supplemental assistance packages for Ukraine, totaling about $114 billion. The Department of Defense has received most of the aid, overseeing the military aspect of assistance, while the U.S. Agency for International Development manages the humanitarian aspect.
House Speaker Mike Johnson believes that assistance to Israel and Ukraine should be separate. He stresses the responsibility to ensure accountability for the funding while supporting Ukraine and preventing Russia from prevailing.
At least nine Senate Republicans also support separating aid for Israel and Ukraine, believing that bundling these priorities together would complicate the process and reduce the likelihood of a funding package.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, on the other hand, supports passing President Biden’s supplemental funding request for assistance to both Israel and Ukraine.
Some members of Congress oppose sending assistance to Jerusalem and Kyiv due to concerns about national debt and prioritizing issues like securing the border and countering China.
Overall, there is a division within Congress regarding aid to Israel and Ukraine, with some members advocating for intertwined assistance and others urging for separate support. The prioritization of these conflicts and their impact on other important issues remains a matter of debate.