The recent attack by Iran on Israel has intensified the pressure on the US Congress to approve a 95 billion dollar aid package for both Israel and Ukraine. Despite this, House Republicans are divided on whether to support the aid package. The president of the Lower House, Mike Johnson, is working to move the measure forward but faces opposition from within his own party.
President Joe Biden emphasized the importance of preventing further escalation in the Middle East during a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al Sudani. However, there is still much work to be done to ensure that both Israel and Ukraine receive the aid they need to address ongoing conflicts in their respective regions.
Hakeem Jeffries, a Democratic leader, is urging lawmakers to make a decision quickly and choose the path of supporting their allies. He likens the situation to historical figures who had to decide between appeasement and confrontation in times of conflict. The aid package includes military and economic assistance for both Ukraine and Israel and has bipartisan support in the Senate.
Johnson is considering different strategies to advance the aid package, including presenting a bill that only includes assistance for Israel. However, it remains unclear how successful this approach would be given opposition within his own party and from Democrats who insist on supporting both countries equally.
