Senator Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas, who closely collaborates with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, expressed that President Joe Biden’s request for $105 billion in foreign aid is unlikely to pass the Senate in its current form.
President Biden introduced the foreign aid package during his national address, allocating $60 billion to Ukraine and including $3.5 billion for Gaza. Although the president emphasized the importance of this package for Israel, the majority of the funds are designated for Ukraine. Israel is set to receive $14 billion to enhance its military capabilities, replenish the Iron Dome, and demonstrate solidarity with Israel, according to Biden’s plan.
Senator Cotton firmly rejected the proposal, calling it a “slush fund” and stating that it is “dead on arrival.” He pointed out specific aspects of the request that he and other Senate Republicans find objectionable. For example, they oppose allocating $3.5 billion to address the “potential needs of Gazans,” which they see as a resupply line for Hamas. They also oppose $11.8 billion for non-war spending by the Ukrainian government, such as funding retirement pensions. Furthermore, $4.7 billion earmarked for housing, transportation, and services for undocumented immigrants within the United States instead of focusing on deportation is seen as problematic.
President Biden submitted his $105 billion request to Congress following his Oval Office address. As the House faces challenges in selecting a new speaker, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has indicated that Senate Democrats will swiftly move to pass Biden’s budget request. Senator McConnell expressed his support for the aid package but stressed the need for the Senate to produce its own legislation to address national security needs effectively. He urged colleagues to work quickly, given the pressing national security challenges the U.S. is confronting. Senator John Cornyn supports aid to Ukraine and Israel but emphasizes that meaningful policy changes related to border security are necessary for such aid. Senator Bill Hagerty is concerned that the funding request could exacerbate the border crisis and fuel the administration’s resettlement operation.