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U.S. President Joe Biden, accompanied by Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, makes remarks after speaking by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the situation in Israel following Hamas’ deadly attacks, from the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, October 10, 2023.
Jonathan Ernst | Reuters
The Biden administration on Friday requested more than $105 billion from Congress to support the security needs of Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and the U.S. southern border.
President Joe Biden’s biggest request in the package is over $61 billion for Ukraine. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the U.S. has unleased an arsenal worth $44 billion in security assistance, according to figures provided by the State Department.
He’s also calling for an additional $14.3 billion for Israel, another $2 billion for Taiwan and Indo-Pacific security, and a little over $9 billion for humanitarian assistance.
Israel is at war with Hamas after the militant group launched a shocking and brutal terrorist attack Oct. 7. Meanwhile, there are rising tensions around Taiwan, which China claims as its own.
The request comes as business in Congress is at a standstill as the House GOP remains divided over who should be the speaker. Hard-right Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio is pushing for a third vote after failing twice to secure the gavel.
Additionally, the White House is seeking $6.4 billion for border operations, pushing back against Republicans who have criticized it for not doing enough to contend with migration from Latin America. The request also includes about $1.2 billion for efforts aimed at countering fentanyl, which has driven a wave of deadly overdoses in the U.S.
In a rare primetime Thursday evening speech from the Oval Office, Biden previewed the funding request calling it a “smart investment that’s going to pay dividends for American security for generations.”
Biden said the additional funds for Israel’s and Ukraine’s war efforts will “help us keep American troops out of harm’s way, help us build a world that is safer, more peaceful and more prosperous for our children and grandchildren.”
