US President Joe Biden has announced his plans to seek approval from Congress for an “unprecedented” military aid package for both Israel and Ukraine. In a speech from the Oval Office, Biden argued that providing funds to these countries is a “smart investment” for the United States and essential for American security.
Biden emphasized that the US is the “essential nation” that holds the world together and declared his intention to submit a spending plan to Congress in support of Israel and Ukraine. He described this budget request as urgent and stressed the importance of investing in national security needs and supporting critical partners.
The President highlighted that continued military assistance to Israel and Ukraine is vital for US security interests. He warned that failure to act against terrorists and dictators could lead to chaos spreading in other parts of the world. Biden specifically mentioned Hamas and Russia as threats seeking to annihilate neighboring democracies.
While the White House has not disclosed specific details of the budget request, sources cited by the Associated Press estimate a price tag of $105 billion. This includes $60 billion for Ukraine and $14 billion for Israel. The proposed budget would also allocate $14 billion for US border security, $7 billion for the Indo-Pacific region, and $10 billion for humanitarian projects.
The President referred to the aid as an “unprecedented commitment” to Israel’s security, highlighting its importance for funding the country’s Iron Dome missile defense system. In the case of Ukraine, the funding would support continued arms shipments to Kiev and replenishment of US stockpiles.
Following a deadly Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, the White House has expressed strong support for Israel. President Biden described the attack as the equivalent of “15 9/11s” during his recent visit to the country. In response, Israel has launched several waves of airstrikes on Gaza, resulting in casualties on both sides.
The Biden administration has strategically linked US support for Ukraine and Israel. According to an unnamed official quoted by the Washington Post, this move is intended to overcome resistance from Republicans who support aid to Israel but oppose additional assistance for Ukraine.
In conclusion, President Joe Biden’s proposal for an unprecedented military aid package for Israel and Ukraine seeks to address US national security needs while supporting important partners. The President argues that providing assistance to these countries is a wise investment that will pay dividends for American security for generations to come, ultimately keeping American troops out of harm’s way.
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