President Biden on Tuesday reprimanded House Republicans and called on party leaders to advance a bipartisan national security bill that passed earlier in the day in the Senate by a 70-29 vote, but the crisis at the U.S. southern border was not mentioned.
The Senate on Tuesday morning passed a $95 billion national security package to support Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific region. However, what was omitted from the package were provisions regarding border security.
When Biden approached reporters Tuesday afternoon to make a statement on additional policy, he told reporters he would not take any questions in order to stay on schedule and avoid distractions. Speaking frankly, the president also said, “I will not take any questions.” Please take questions tomorrow or the day after.
In his remarks, Biden urged House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) to bring the bill to the floor immediately, saying, “I have no doubt that the Senate bill will pass if it is considered by the House.” There’s no room.” . ”
Senate passes controversial foreign aid bill that sends billions of dollars to Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan
President Biden speaks about the Senate’s recent passage of the National Security Supplemental Act, which provides military assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, in the White House official dining room on February 13, 2024, in Washington, DC. In his remarks, Biden urged House Republicans and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) to pass the bill in the House. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
“I urge the Speaker to let the whole House speak and not allow the few most extreme voices in the House to prevent a vote on this bill,” Biden said, highlighting how important this bill is. emphasized.
As the national debt soared to more than $34 trillion, calls to offset spending through cuts elsewhere fell on deaf ears.
The aid package includes $60 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion for Israel, $9 billion in humanitarian aid for Gaza, and nearly $5 billion for the Indo-Pacific.Democrats proposed it after Republicans blocked it. $118 billion package It includes numerous border and immigration provisions and was negotiated by a bipartisan group of senators and Biden officials.
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In this photo provided by the National Police of Ukraine, police officers and rescue workers walk in front of the RIA Pizza restaurant destroyed in a Russian attack in Kramatorsk, Ukraine, on Tuesday, June 27, 2023. (Ukraine National Police, Associated Press)
Biden said the bill would send military equipment to Ukraine, but the spending would take place in the United States, where the weapons are manufactured.
“The mechanism is supplying Ukraine with military equipment that we have in stockpile, and now we are spending money to replenish that stockpile,” he said. “So our military has access to stockpiles made by American workers right here in America.”
He went on to say that the bill also meets national security priorities in the Middle East region and provides support for military forces operating in the region to protect against attacks by Iranian-backed militias. He said that there is.
Senate Republicans prepare for long battle over Ukraine and aid to Israel
Houthi fighters walk on British and American flags at a rally in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on the outskirts of Sanaa, Yemen, February 4, 2024, and recent Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden attack. . (Mohamed Hammoud/Getty Images)
Biden noted that the Palestinian people will also benefit from the humanitarian aid included in the package, which will provide food, water and shelter.
On funding national security priorities in Asia, Biden said that while the United States is focused on the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, it must not take its eyes off the region’s national security challenges. Stated.
Pentagon finally runs out of funding for Ukraine, asks 50 allies to continue supporting Kiev
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, speaks during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, in Washington, DC. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Biden called on House Republicans to make a decision, saying the United States is at a point in its history where decisions made now will determine the course of action for decades to come.
“To support this bill is to stand up to President Putin. To oppose the bill is to hold President Putin’s hand. As I have said before, the stakes in this fight go far beyond Ukraine. “It’s exceeded that,” he said. “To all the Republicans in Congress who think they can be held accountable by opposing funding to Ukraine: History is watching. History is watching. History is watching. At this momentous moment. The failure to support Ukraine in the 2015 will never be forgotten.”
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In recent weeks, as negotiators neared a deal, Republicans have grown skeptical of bipartisan talks, arguing that Biden already has the resources to deal with the border situation and doesn’t need new legislation. . Some Republicans have signaled they don’t want to give Biden a political victory in an election year by supporting the border bill.
Fox News Digital’s Landon Mion contributed to this report.
