White House opposes funding package solely for Israel, without aid of Ukraine and Taiwan
John Kirby, the National Security Council's Coordinator for Strategic Communications (photo: Getty Images)
The White House will oppose the bill on funding for Israel's security if it does not include a request from President Joe Biden for joint aid to Taiwan and Ukraine, states John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council.
He criticized Speaker of the House Mike Johnson's plan to introduce a separate bill on funding for Israel following Iran's attacks over the weekend, emphasizing that it will not receive President Biden's support.
Kirby stated that White Hourse would be against a separate bill that was solely aimed at Israel.
These comments send a clear signal to Democrats in Congress that they should vote against such a bill if it is brought up for consideration. The Democratic Party has already called on Johnson to bring another bill to the Senate that incorporates all of President Biden's additional requirements regarding national security.
Kirby's comments came just minutes after Biden on Monday reaffirmed his administration's support for Israel following Iran's weekend attack on the country.
Issues with the approval of US military aid for Ukraine
On October 20, 2023, President Joe Biden submitted a $106 billion bill to Congress to aid Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan. Of this amount, $61.3 billion was proposed for defense assistance to Ukraine, and $14.3 billion for Israel.
However, Republicans in Congress refused to consider the document and demanded that it include a package of measures to strengthen the southern border of the US against illegal migration from Mexico. When these requirements were met, the revised document did not garner the necessary votes.
In early February of the current year, a new $96 billion bill was developed to aid the three countries, but without the complex regarding the protection of the southern border of the US with Mexico. It includes over $60 billion for Ukraine's needs.
On February 13, the Senate approved this bill. However, Speaker Mike Johnson refuses to bring the bill to a vote in the lower House of Representatives.
Additionally, Johnson hinted that the House of Representatives is prepared to unlock aid to Ukraine, but it will not be provided by the US for free, but rather through a loan or financing program.
After a large-scale attack by Iran on Israeli territory on April 14, Joe Biden asked Congress leadership to approve the bill for defense aid to Ukraine and Israel as quickly as possible.
Congress party leaders have reached a consensus on the bill to aid Ukraine and Israel.
Instead, Speaker Johnson has once again announced plans to bring a separate bill on funding for Israel alone to a vote this week.
