President Joe Biden has called on Congress to pass funding for Ukraine and Israel, emphasizing the urgency of supporting these nations in the face of ongoing challenges. Speaking from the White House ahead of a Senate procedural vote on his $106 billion national security supplemental plan, Biden expressed a willingness to make “significant compromises” on border policy to secure the necessary funds for Ukraine and Israel.
Biden acknowledged the broken state of the U.S. border system and noted that he is open to addressing border policy concerns in exchange for support for Ukraine and Israel. He warned of the potential consequences of failing to pass the supplemental spending plan, particularly in sending a negative message about U.S. commitment to Ukraine and its European allies.
The president highlighted the importance of preventing Russian President Vladimir Putin from achieving his objectives and stressed that supporting Ukraine is crucial for U.S. national and international interests. Republicans had previously insisted on border policy changes in exchange for their support on funding for Ukraine and Israel, but negotiations reached an impasse.
Biden criticized the Republicans’ stance, characterizing their proposal as extreme and emphasizing the need for compromise. Progressives, including members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, have resisted trading concessions on border policy for foreign policy initiatives, creating a challenging dynamic within the Democratic party.
The Senate procedural vote on Biden’s supplemental spending plan faced expected Republican opposition, with concerns about addressing what they term a crisis at the U.S. border. Biden dismissed this opposition as “playing chicken with our national security,” urging Congress to prioritize the funding needed for Ukraine and Israel.
The president warned of potential further consequences if the United States fails to defend Ukraine, suggesting that inaction now could lead to military intervention later if Putin invades a NATO country. Biden emphasized the collective commitment of NATO members to defend every inch of NATO territory in the event of an attack on an ally.
The remarks come as part of Biden’s ongoing efforts to secure emergency funding for Ukraine, with the White House highlighting the potential impact on the battlefield if action is not taken before the end of the year.
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