"WASHINGTON -- Senate Republicans want changes to the Biden administration's request for $106 billion in emergency funds for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan and to manage the flow of migrants at the U.S. border, setting up tricky negotiations that could imperil the bill even before it runs headlong into the currently paralyzed House.
The administration's proposal includes about $61 billion for Ukraine, another $14 billion for Israel for security needs, and about $9 billion for humanitarian assistance to both conflict theaters, among other requests. It also includes about $2 billion for security assistance in the Indo-Pacific and $14 billion for the border, which would pay for more-efficient processing of migrants seeking asylum, more border-patrol agents and asylum officers, and reimbursements to cities and private organizations that have set up shelters.
There is broad bipartisan support in Congress for aid to Israel, following the deadly attack by Hamas this month.
But some Republicans are skeptical of new funding for Ukraine, while others would prefer to finance weaponry instead of humanitarian aid or direct economic assistance to the Ukrainian government. Congress has approved more than $100 billion for Ukraine since events there started in early 2022.
The parties also differ on how to respond to illegal immigration, with Republicans emphasizing tougher border controls.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) said he is generally supportive of the administration's big-picture approach -- he didn't object to the price tag -- but he made it clear he plans to push for some changes, with an emphasis on border policy.
"It's pretty clear that the supplemental that was sent up is just a certain starting point," McConnell said at his weekly press conference Tuesday. "We're gonna go over it with a fine-tooth comb. As you can see, there's a lot of passion among our members about having a credible border-security provision in there and we're gonna make other changes as well."
Some Republicans want the Israel aid separated from the Ukraine aid, a nod to the fact that the latter has become politically unpopular with their party's voters and a number of Republican lawmakers.
"The Senate needs to vote on aid for Israel now -- by itself," Sen. Rick Scott (R., Fla.) said on Tuesday. "Everyone in Washington knows what the president has proposed will never pass the House."
Senate Democrats say the supplemental is needed to provide vital aid to democratic governments in Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. "Let's get to work in the coming weeks to pass this supplemental package quickly and with strong bipartisan support," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) said on Tuesday." [1]
1. U.S. News: GOP Senators Seek Changes to Foreign Aid Package. Wise, Lindsay; Hackman, Michelle. Wall Street Journal, Eastern edition; New York, N.Y.. 25 Oct 2023: A.6.
Komentarų nėra:
Rašyti komentarą