Evening Report — Senate preps vote on Ukraine-Israel funding bill
Congress is inching closer to taking action on President Biden‘s supplemental funding request for Ukraine, Israel, the U.S.-Mexico border and humanitarian needs in Gaza.
The House sought to separate funding for Israel from funding for Ukraine and the rest earlier this month, passing a bill to provide $14 billion in aid to Israel. That bill was a no-go for most Democrats because it would have excluded Ukraine aid and cut IRS funds.
Now, the Democratic-majority Senate is preparing to move on a funding package for multiple purposes included in Biden’s request.
Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) wrote to colleagues that he’ll bring a funding bill to the floor as soon as next week “to ensure we as well as our friends and partners in Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific region have the necessary military capabilities to confront and deter our adversaries and competitors,” also mentioning the need for humanitarian assistance for Palestinian civilians.
MEANWHILE: House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Monday he’s “confident and optimistic” Congress can pass Ukraine and Israel aid — but didn’t commit to combining them .
