The Biden administration embarked on an ardent endeavor to secure emergency military aid for both Israel and Ukraine in an extensive push to counteract House Republican efforts aimed at diminishing a substantial $106 billion aid package, concurrently aiming to trim essential components of the White House’s domestic policy.
In a contentious session, frequently disrupted by demonstrators, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, in a Senate hearing, asserted that assistance to both Israel and Ukraine was inextricably intertwined. They vehemently opposed the call by prominent Republicans who sought to divorce these allocations, displaying staunch support for Israel while opposing further aid for Ukraine.
This contentious stance arose in response to the proposal by the right-wing Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson. His bill recommended a limited allotment of $14.3 billion for Israel, contingent upon budget reductions for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the United States’ tax authority. This funding cut directly relates to the IRS’s bolstering under the Inflation Reduction Act, an initiative undertaken by the Biden administration.
Furthermore, the proposed bill made no provisions for extending support to Ukraine as it combats Russian forces.
Johnson’s initiative aligned with the growing Republican opposition to endorsing assistance for Ukraine and directly contested the aid program outlined by President Joe Biden following the Hamas attack on Israel in early October. President Biden had advocated for increased aid to both nations, asserting that such support would safeguard “American security for generations.”
The Republican bill garnered support from the hard-right faction, which had actively promoted Johnson’s election as Speaker of the House. The prominent Florida congressman, Matt Gaetz, a vocal supporter of Johnson, emphasized the distinction between Israel, with its deep historical and religious ties, and Ukraine, a former Soviet state, asserting that they should be treated as separate entities.
However, this proposition faced vigorous opposition from Democrats and drew division even within the Republican conference itself, including Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, who supported President Biden’s aid plan. This comprehensive plan included $61 billion designated for Ukraine, funding for the defense of U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific, and $14 billion to reinforce the southern border.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, criticized the Republican proposal, attributing it to the far-right faction.
Johnson defended his bill, emphasizing the need for prioritizing support for Israel’s protection and Ukraine’s battle against Russia, particularly over IRS funding, asserting that the American public would favor supporting Israel over additional IRS agents.
In their Senate testimony, both Blinken and Austin asserted that the aid provided to Israel and Ukraine should be seen in the context of Iran’s involvement. Iran, known to support Hamas and maintain an alliance with Russia, was portrayed as a common denominator in the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Blinken argued that cutting off Russia’s traditional military supply routes had pushed Russia closer to Iran for assistance. Consequently, Moscow had supplied advanced military technology to Iran, posing a security threat to Israel. Allowing Iran to persist in this support would embolden both Moscow and Tehran, Blinken contended.
Later, Blinken met with Speaker Johnson to present the administration’s viewpoint on the matter, describing the meeting as constructive.
In response to Speaker Johnson’s proposal, a bipartisan group of congressional members, including Republicans and Democrats, implored him to reconsider his stance. They emphasized the United States’ responsibility to stand with its democratic allies and confront unprecedented global threats.
The White House made it clear that President Biden would veto a Republican bill, should it pass both chambers, that allocated aid exclusively to Israel, omitting support for Ukraine, while simultaneously reducing funding for the IRS.
Furthermore, President Biden’s Israeli aid package has exposed divisions within congressional Democrats, pitting staunch supporters of Israel against more progressive members who advocate for the Palestinian cause. A minority of Democrats have called for a ceasefire in Gaza, where Israel’s military actions have resulted in substantial Palestinian casualties.
