On April 19, 2024, President Joe Biden urged Congress to pass stalled legislation that would provide billions in military and other aid to Israel and Ukraine, citing Iran’s recent attack against the US ally. The president’s appeal came just days after Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones on Sunday, in retaliation for a deadly Israeli bombing of the Iranian consulate in Syria’s capital, Damascus, earlier this month. Biden warned that if Iran succeeds in significantly escalating its assault on Israel, the US could be drawn in. The legislation, a $95bn bill, has stalled in Congress, but Biden and other top officials are pushing for its passage.
the need for aid
According to President Biden, Israel is the US’s strongest partner in the Middle East, and it’s unthinkable that the US would stand by if its defenses were weakened and Iran was able to carry out the destruction it intended. Biden wrote in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, “We can make that outcome less likely by replenishing Israel’s air defenses and providing military aid now, so its defenses can remain fully stocked and ready.” The president also emphasized that both Israel and Ukraine can defend themselves, but they depend on American assistance, including weaponry, to do it. Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin also stressed the importance of passing the foreign aid proposal, saying that it will provide the opportunity to continue to provide security assistance to Israel in the form of air defense interceptors, munitions, and things that it critically needs to be able to defend itself.
the current situation
The international community has intensified its appeals to the US and other Western nations to condition financial support for Israel upon an increased flow of humanitarian support into the Gaza Strip. More than 33,800 Palestinians have died since Israel began its siege and blockade of the coastal strip in early October, and United Nations officials have warned that the Strip is on the brink of famine. However, despite growing public criticism of the Biden administration’s support for Israel, the country has continued to enjoy strong bipartisan support among Washington legislators. Israel receives $3.8bn in US aid annually, and a supplemental funding bill that would provide an additional $14bn in assistance to Israel, as well as billions more for other American allies, such as Ukraine and Taiwan, has been proposed.
the legislative process
The $95bn bill has stalled in Congress, but after Iran’s attacks on Sunday, there is growing pressure on Capitol Hill to bring the supplemental funding bill to the floor for a vote. Johnson wrote in a letter to House legislators on Wednesday that the text of three bills providing assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and the Asia Pacific would be filed soon, and the vote on final passage on these bills is expected to be on Saturday evening. However, it remains unclear if the bills will draw enough support to pass. Most Democrats have previously rejected breaking down the foreign assistance bill by country, fearing that Republicans would pass the Israel portion and stall the aid to Ukraine. But after the Iranian attack, it is unclear whether the Democrats, who control the Senate, would agree to an Israel-only aid bill.
the way forward
President Biden wrote in his Wall Street Journal op-ed that the supplemental funding bill “shouldn’t be held hostage any longer by a small group of extreme Republican House members.” The president’s appeal has been echoed by other top officials, including Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin, who emphasized the importance of passing the foreign aid proposal. As the situation in the Middle East continues to escalate, it is clear that the US needs to take a strong stance in support of its allies, including Israel and Ukraine. The passage of the supplemental funding bill would be a important step in providing the necessary aid to these countries, and it is essential that Congress puts aside its differences and works towards a solution. The US has a long history of supporting its allies, and it is imperative that this support continues, especially in times of crisis. As President Biden said, “this is a important moment,” and the US needs to act quickly to provide the necessary aid to Israel and Ukraine.
