US House drafts $60B proposal for Ukraine, 'Israel', border security

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Politico
15 Feb 2024 21:50

The bill includes foreign military aid for Ukraine and "Israel" but reduces humanitarian and economic assistance compared to a previous Senate-endorsed bill.

The suns begins to set on the Capitol building in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Politico reported on Thursday that US House representatives are set to introduce a new proposal that includes both foreign aid for Ukraine and "Israel," as well as border security measures.

According to the report, the bill incorporates foreign military aid but reduces humanitarian and economic assistance as previously suggested in a $95 billion supplemental funding bill endorsed by the Senate. It also includes a version of the "remain in Mexico" immigration policy.

The bipartisan drafted proposal is estimated to carry a price tag of around $60 billion.

Earlier this week, the US Senate greenlit a $95 billion supplementary funding bill, earmarking aid for Ukraine and "Israel," but contained no provisions for border security measures.

Due to the lack of these provisions, House Speaker Mike Johnson said that the lower chamber of Congress has no plans to debate the legislation. However, US Congressman Pete Aguilar announced on Wednesday that House Democrats are considering initiating a discharge petition to push for a floor vote on the bill.

Regarding this new proposal, US Congressman Don Bacon said that while it still lacks ample support among House Republicans, there is sufficient backing from Democrats to advance the bill through further deliberations.

US Aid to Ukraine and "Israel"

According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, a German research institute, the Biden administration and US Congress have allocated over $75 billion in aid to Ukraine since the start of the war, comprising of humanitarian, financial, and military assistance.

As for "Israel", since the founding of the occupation regime, it has received $158 billion in military aid from the US. Since the start of the war on Gaza, the US bolstered its support through various means, including through the provision of Iron Dome interceptors, ammunition, guided missile launchers, and even advanced F-35 fighter jets.

November witnessed further reinforcement as a Republican-led plan, greenlit by the US House of Representatives, allocated a substantial $14.5 billion in military aid specifically for "Israel," along with bombs, ammunitions, and artillery shells.

On December 9, the Pentagon expedited the sale of approximately 14,000 tank shells amounting to $106.5 million to "Israel" under emergency authority, bypassing the customary congressional review process.

As the month drew to a close, the US swiftly facilitated another transaction, selling artillery shells and related weaponry worth $147.5 million to replenish "Israel's" diminishing weapons stockpile.