As of: February 13, 2024, 12:29 p.m
By: Sonja Thomaser
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The US House of Representatives blocks a billion-dollar aid package for Ukraine and Israel.
Republicans are demanding “compensation” for acceptance.
Washington DC - The Republican-dominated US House of Representatives does not want to approve the Senate's current bill for new aid to Ukraine and Israel.
According to Chairman Mike Johnson on Monday (Feb. 12), the bill does not include "the most pressing issue facing our country" - securing the U.S. border with Mexico.
The Senate, for its part, could vote on the aid package as early as Tuesday (February 13) - approval is considered likely.
The Republicans in the House of Representatives have made it clear from the beginning “that any so-called national security amendment must recognize that national security begins at our own border,” explained Johnson, referring to the border with Mexico.
Mike Johnson (Republican from Louisiana), Speaker of the House of Representatives.
© J. Scott Applewhite/dpa
Legislative package with military aid worth $95 billion
The legislative package ready for vote in the Senate with a total volume of 95 billion dollars (88 billion euros) contains military aid for Ukraine worth around 60 billion dollars.
Israel is to be supported with 14 billion dollars in the fight against the Islamist Hamas, and further funds are earmarked for the US ally Taiwan, among others.
Money for securing the US border with Mexico is not included.
The opposition Republicans have been blocking the release of further billions in aid for Ukraine for months.
Many right-wing Republican hardliners are against new aid to Ukraine.
The Republicans, who make up the majority in the House of Representatives, are demanding a new, strict migration policy in return for accepting the aid package.
Original package with money for border security already rejected
Last Wednesday, a legislative package with a total volume of $118 billion failed in the Senate, which, in addition to aid to Ukraine and funds for Israel, also contained more money for securing the US border with Mexico.
Linking foreign aid to the issue of US border security was originally a concession from the Democrats to the Republicans.
However, former US President Donald Trump, who is seeking another term in office, called for the bill to be rejected because he wants to use border policy as an election issue.
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The Democrats then decided to introduce a separate bill with aid for Ukraine and Israel.
This found enough support among Republicans to pass in the Democratic-controlled Senate, which it will most likely pass in the vote likely to take place on Tuesday.
However, the House of Representatives still has to approve it, which, according to Johnson, will not happen.
(so with afp)