US Speaker Questions $95.3 Billion Aid Package for Ukraine, Israel
United States House of Representatives Speaker, Mike Johnson has raised concerns regarding the future of a $95.3 billion aid package designated for countries such as Ukraine and Israel.
This comes as the Senate has moved to advance the legislation aimed at providing reassurance to Washington’s allies.
Johnson, the leading Republican in the House, criticized the Senate for what he perceives as a failure to address security concerns along the US-Mexico border, which he deems as the “most pressing issue facing our country.”
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In a statement issued on Monday and obtained by INCNews247, Johnson emphasized, “The mandate of national security supplemental legislation was to secure America’s own border before sending additional foreign aid around the world. It is what the American people demand and deserve.”
Earlier, Johnson had warned that an earlier iteration of the bill would be “dead on arrival,” citing insufficient measures to curb unauthorized migration.
Last week, a majority of Senate Republicans voted against a bipartisan bill that included extensive immigration reforms, amid opposition from former President Donald Trump.
Trump’s influence has led to a more skeptical stance towards immigration and foreign intervention within the Republican Party.
Following the removal of immigration provisions from the legislation, the Democratic-led Senate voted 66-33 on Monday to advance the military aid package closer to a final vote, potentially scheduled for Wednesday.
Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer hailed the agreement as reflective of “our security, our values, our democracy,” describing it as a “down payment for the survival of Western democracy and the survival of Western values.”
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden has urged Congress to swiftly approve additional military aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Asia Pacific allies, including Taiwan.
