Budget officials are planning to make a big request to Congress at a time when the U.S. is facing several foreign policy problems.
Four people with knowledge of the situation say that the White House is thinking about asking Congress for a $100 billion aid package that would mostly help Ukraine and Israel. This is just an estimate, though, as plans are still being worked out.
Biden staffers have talked with congressional workers about putting together a big foreign policy package as soon as this week, even though there are a lot of problems going on in the world, such as the war between Hamas and Israel. The bill is also likely to include a lot of money to improve U.S. immigration enforcement at the southern border with Mexico. The people who spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect private talks said that the bill may also include money for Taiwan to stop China from being aggressive. The bill could also include money to help with recent environmental disasters in the U.S., such as the wildfires in Maui and the storms.
Aides made it clear that the plans were not set in stone and could change at any time. President Biden had previously suggested that Ukraine get about $20.4 billion in aid, but Congress stopped any more money from going to Ukraine when they extended government spending until November.
“It will send a strong message to both our friends and our enemies,” Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) said of the planned aid package.
One person, who did not want to be named because the talk was private, said that the request would cover the problems for the whole fiscal year.
The plan should be sent to Democratic leaders by the end of this week, they said.
Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) told reporters, “We expect to get the package by the end of this week. It will include the military help Israel needs, the diplomatic and intelligence help Israel needs, as well as humanitarian aid to help Israel and the Palestinians lose as few innocent lives as possible.”
Republicans in the House are having a hard time choosing a new speaker, which could make it harder to pass any bill quickly. House Republicans are becoming less likely to give money from the taxpayers to Kyiv. However, they might be more likely to do so if the request also includes money for the border and Israel.
Bloomberg was the first to report that White House officials were thinking about asking for $100 billion as part of the aid plan. It was not clear how much money would be given to each country.
A White House spokesperson wouldn’t say anything.
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