Biden will veto bill on aid to Israel if it does not include assistance to Ukraine

This is reported by Reuters.

"The Administration strongly encourages both chambers of the Congress to reject this political ploy and instead quickly send the bipartisan Emergency National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act to the President’s desk," the White House said in a statement.

It is noted that for several months, the Biden administration, together with Senate Democrats and Republicans, has been working on a bill that combines reform of the U.S. immigration system, additional funds for border security, and allocates billions of dollars to help Ukraine, Israel, and partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

The $118 billion measure will also provide humanitarian assistance to civilians affected by global conflicts.

"The Administration strongly opposes this ploy which does nothing to secure the border, does nothing to help the people of Ukraine defend themselves against Putin's aggression, fails to support the security of American synagogues, mosques, and vulnerable places of worship, and denies humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, the majority of whom are women and children," the statement reads.

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson announced on Saturday that the House of Representatives would reject the bipartisan Senate bill and instead vote this week on a measure that would provide aid only to Israel.

"The president’s veto threat is an act of betrayal. In threatening to veto aid to Israel and to our military forces, President Biden is abandoning our ally in its time of greatest need," Johnson said on Monday night.

• The day before, the Biden administration and a bipartisan group of senators reached a $118.2 billion border deal that includes aid to Ukraine and Israel. According to Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova, the bill may be voted on in the United States on February 7.