Biden to push Israel, Ukraine aid package worth well over US$2 billion this week
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told CBS’ Face The Nation that US President Joe Biden will have intensive talks with Congress on the need for the package to be approved.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Follow topic:
WASHINGTON – White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the Biden administration hopes to push a new weapons package for Israel and Ukraine through Congress that will be significantly higher than US$2 billion (S$2.7 billion).
In an interview on CBS’ Face The Nation on Sunday, Mr Sullivan said President Joe Biden will have intensive talks with the US Congress this week on the need for the package to be approved.
The Republicans’ struggles to pick a Speaker for the House of Representatives after party hardliners ousted Mr Kevin McCarthy
Mr Biden has been considering a budget request lumping together aid for Israel and Ukraine, as well as possibly Taiwan and the US southern border to improve the chances of getting it approved amid calls from some Republicans to cut money for Kyiv.
“Well, the number is going to be significantly higher than that, but it will, as I said, certainly include the necessary military equipment to defend freedom, sovereignty and territorial integrity in Ukraine, and to help Israel defend itself as it fights its terrorist threat,” Mr Sullivan said when asked whether the request would be for US$2 billion, as previously reported.
Some Republicans have already said they would not back any Israel aid package that also has aid for Ukraine. How any Bill moves through Congress without a House Speaker is unclear.
On Sunday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries suggested that Democrats could work with Republicans to nominate a Speaker.
“There are informal conversations that have been under way” about a bipartisan solution to the crisis, Mr Jeffries told NBC’s Meet The Press. “When we get back to Washington tomorrow, it’s important to begin to formalise those discussions,” he added.
Ohio Representative Jim Jordan, founder of a hardline Republican Party caucus with the backing of former president and likely 2024 presidential election candidate nominee Donald Trump, has been nominated to be House Speaker.
It is unclear whether he has the votes necessary from his own party to get a simple majority in the House, which is narrowly controlled by Republicans.
There is little chance any Democrats would back Mr Jordan, a vocal supporter of Trump’s false claims that the 2020 election was marred by widespread fraud.
“I believe at the end of the day that Jordan can get there, and I’m doing everything I can to help him be able to become Speaker,” Mr McCarthy told Fox News on Sunday morning.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, speaking in Tel Aviv on Sunday, said the Senate could move first to pass an aid Bill.
“We’re not waiting for the House. We believe if the Senate acts in a strong bipartisan way, it may indeed improve the chances that the House, even with its current dysfunction, will act.” REUTERS
