President Biden to Veto Republican-led Aid Bill for Israel Amid Push for Comprehensive Security Legislation

By Hatem Mamdouh On Feb 6, 2024

The White House announced on Monday its strong opposition to a Republican initiative in the House of Representatives aimed at enacting a standalone aid bill for Israel. President Joe Biden is prepared to use his veto power should the bill reach his desk, signaling a firm stance as he advocates for a broader legislative package that supports Israel, Ukraine, and enhances U.S. border security.

US President Joe Biden- Reuters

The opposition arises amid efforts to secure a comprehensive deal that balances aid and security measures. House Speaker Mike Johnson, representing the Republican majority, criticized a recently unveiled Senate agreement linking border security enhancements to Ukrainian aid, declaring it dead on arrival in the House. Johnson’s dismissal underscores a deepening divide over handling national security and aid allocations.

🚨🇺🇸 BIDEN THREATENS VETO OF US HOUSE’S STANDALONE ISRAEL AID BILL

Biden is pushing for legislation that includes support for Israel, Ukraine, and border security.

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— Qingen Xu (@QingenXu) February 6, 2024

The contentious bill, spanning 370 pages, proposes a total of $118.3 billion in funding, with significant portions allocated to Ukraine ($60 billion) in alignment with the White House request, and Israel receiving $14.1 billion in security assistance. Additionally, the legislation earmarks $20.2 billion for American border security and includes immigration policy adjustments agreed upon by both Democratic and Republican negotiators.

A notable provision grants President Biden the authority to deny asylum requests if weekly border crossings exceed 5,000, a threshold that has been surpassed several times in recent months. The bill’s fate in the Senate remains uncertain, requiring 60 votes for procedural approval in the Democrat-controlled chamber. The vote is expected by Wednesday at the latest, setting the stage for a pivotal moment in U.S. legislative politics.