President Biden sent Congress a request for $105 billion in military aid Friday, mostly for Israel and Ukraine, essentially asking lawmakers who oppose parts of the proposal to vote against an overall package that includes his In his opinion, it would ensure “American security for generations.”
Mr. Biden is betting that Republicans who oppose more aid to Ukraine will not vote against a bill that also includes more than $14 billion to help Israel defend itself against Hamas terror attacks. And he hopes progressive Democrats who don’t want to support Israel’s military operations won’t vote against additional aid to Ukraine.
The request also includes billions of dollars to improve security along the U.S.-Mexico border, security assistance to Taiwan and a fund for humanitarian assistance in hot spots around the world.
The legislative gamble is playing out against a global split screen: wars are raging in Europe and the Middle East, while in the United States the House of Representatives has been mired in chaos for more than two weeks as Republicans struggle to choose a speaker.
Mr. Biden’s efforts to persuade a fractured Congress to support his funding request will test the argument he made to the American people in a speech to the nation on Thursday night, as he pushed for global engagement in a deeply unstable World urged. In that address, he said that refusing to invest in this commitment would come at a heavy cost to the United States.
“These conflicts can seem distant,” Jake Sullivan, the president’s national security adviser, said in a call with reporters Friday as the president’s request was sent to Congress. “But the outcome of these fights for democracy against terrorism and tyranny is critical to the security of the American people.”
Administration officials expressed confidence that there is broad, bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress, which should come together quickly to pass the president’s emergency spending proposal.
But the initial reaction on Capitol Hill included some angry words from Republicans who accused the president of trying to force them to vote for a Ukraine war effort they don’t believe in.
“It’s ridiculous that they even try to lump them together. “This is absolutely outrageous,” said Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, Republican of Florida, one of many far-right GOP members who have called for rapid passage of legislation to help arm Israel but have consistently voted against military aid to Ukraine.
Right-wing Republicans have argued for months that programs to arm Ukrainian fighters divert money from other domestic security goals and bring the United States closer to direct confrontation with Russia. However, they have struck a very different tone when it comes to arming Israel in the fight against Hamas, calling it a matter of critical importance to international security.
Even some House Republicans who continued to support aid to Ukraine questioned the White House’s approach and warned that the GOP leadership there would try to split the package.
“The House should split it up,” Rep. Darrell Issa, a Republican from California and a regular supporter of Ukraine aid, said of the president’s proposal, adding: “Putting the two together is inherently divisive.”
Last month, more than half of House Republicans voted against a bill to replenish a $300 million account for training and equipping Ukrainian fighters, after several hardliners like Ms. Luna joined in to force the government to be more open a plan for victory. Some of those members said Mr. Biden’s speech at the White House on Thursday night did little to address their concerns.
“What I want to see is a commander in chief who can sit in the Oval Office and tell America, ‘Here’s what we’re going to do, here’s what we’re going to spend the money on and here’s what we want our outcome to be.’ ‘,” said Rep. Brad Wenstrup, Republican of Ohio. He said he wanted the various security crises addressed as part of Mr. Biden’s request for funds to be addressed separately in order to get answers about aid to Ukraine.
If Congress approves Mr. Biden’s combined approach, Ukraine would receive $61.4 billion in military and economic aid, while Israel would receive about $14.3 billion to bolster its air and missile defenses, including of the Iron Dome system, which protected the country from incoming Hamas rockets.
The request also includes more than $9 billion for humanitarian assistance in Israel, Gaza and Ukraine, and $7.4 billion for security measures to support Taiwan and other allies in the Indo-Pacific. It also includes nearly $14 billion to bolster border security operations in the United States – a nod to Republican calls to consider domestic security alongside global conflicts.
Shalanda Young, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, said some of the humanitarian assistance requested by the government will be used to help victims of violence in Israel and Gaza.
“You have already seen this government’s commitment to ensuring that humanitarian assistance reaches the people of Gaza,” she said. “This assistance will continue robustly as Congress funds more humanitarian assistance.”
Mr Biden’s allies in House leadership on Friday supported the president’s approach and predicted the strategy would ultimately prove successful.
“There is support for this,” said Rep. Adam Smith, Democrat of Washington and ranking member of the Armed Services Committee.
The proposal has already faced some opposition from the left wing of the Democratic Party, where more than a dozen members have called for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. They argue that billions in military aid to Israel would only accelerate a conflict they are trying to end.
“Sending more money for guns will not bring us peace,” Rep. Delia Ramirez, Democrat of Illinois, said in an interview.
Ms. Ramirez expressed concern about the money earmarked for security along the U.S. border with Mexico, saying, “More money for enforcement at the expense of immigrants is unacceptable to me.”
The proposal includes about $13.6 billion for additional Border Patrol agents, immigration judges and other border security measures.
How the House handles the president’s request could depend in part on how — or if — Republicans can end their stalemate over choosing a new speaker.
Legislative activity has been at a standstill since a handful of hardline Republicans orchestrated the ouster of California Rep. Kevin McCarthy from office two and a half weeks ago. It is likely that no spending package, regardless of its size, will be voted on until either a replacement is named or members vote to give Rep. Patrick McHenry, Republican of North Carolina and current incumbent speaker, the authority to introduce bills to bring to the plenary session.
Meanwhile, Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic leader, has promised that the Senate will vote quickly on Mr. Biden’s full national security package. That could put pressure on the House of Representatives to follow suit, although the Senate Budget Committee is not expected to begin work on legislation to fund the president’s request until later this month.
“The Biden administration’s request sends a clear message to America’s friends and allies that we stand with you,” he said.
Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Senate’s top Republican, also signaled his support for bundling foreign aid requests.
“It’s all connected,” he told reporters earlier this week.
But there is also resistance in the Senate. Senator Tom Cotton, Republican of Arkansas and a frequent critic of the president, issued a sharp statement.
“President Biden’s dark money proposal is dead from the start, as are his budgets,” he said, claiming that Mr. Biden’s proposed funding for humanitarian needs in Gaza and elsewhere would help fund Hamas terrorists. “Senate Republicans will take the lead in crafting a funding bill that protects Americans and their interests.”