Ukraine and Israel aid caught in crossfire of U.S. border dispute
The draft law on US additional aid to Ukraine and Israel will not be voted on until the US southern border issue is resolved separately, Republican congressman Tim Wahlberg told radio NV on Feb. 6.
Aid bill may be voted on by Congress in the next two months, Wahlberg said during Ukrainian week in Washington.
"I don't think any aid to Ukraine, or even to Israel, will be voted on until we vote to [strengthen the U.S.-Mexico] border," he stated, attributing the delay to President Joe Biden's reluctance to address border concerns.
"We can't move forward until he does that, even though we want to support Ukraine," Wahlberg added. "We also undertook responsibility to protect our country."
Like many other members of the Republican Party he personally is determined to vote in support of Ukraine. "But now we have two goals: to protect our people in America and to support Ukraine and Israel,” Wahlberg said. “I hope that aid to Ukraine will be voted on in the next two months and we will have outlined a decision by that time.”
Despite these challenges, there is a concerted effort in Congress to decouple the aid to Ukraine from border security issues, with sources noting that discussions are underway to present the Ukrainian aid in a separate document. This approach is supported by House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson, who seeks to isolate the aid package from broader political dynamics, including those influenced by former President Donald Trump and former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, known for his pro-Russian stance.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Senate has proposed a $118 billion package encompassing border security and aid to Ukraine, Israel, and other allies. This initiative, endorsed by President Biden, was quickly dismissed by Mike Johnson as "dead on arrival," highlighting the complex legislative landscape facing the aid packages.
The aid decision's delay comes amidst reports of former U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump's influence over Congressional votes related to Ukraine, underscoring the intertwined nature of domestic politics and international support efforts. As discussions continue, stakeholders remain hopeful that a resolution supporting Ukraine and Israel can be achieved within the next two months, balancing national security concerns with international commitments.
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