As the U.S. rapidly extends support to Israel, President Biden and key Congressional members are crafting a $20 billion military aid package. While government officials assert that aid to Israel won't compromise support for Ukraine, they acknowledge looming pressures from Congress.
Public records reveal that since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the U.S. has channeled aid to Ukraine primarily through three avenues: the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), and Foreign Military Financing (FMF).
From February 24, 2022, to January 5, 2023, Biden utilized the PDA 27 times to deliver nearly $15.6 billion worth of military equipment to Ukraine, the USAI eight times to provide close to $7.2 billion in aid, and the FMF three times to offer a total of $3.1 billion in support. Additionally, Congress approved $46 billion in non-military support.
Over time, the U.S. public's willingness to aid Ukraine has waned. A January 2023 AP-NORC poll indicated that while 60% of American adults supported arming Ukraine in May 2022, that number had dropped to 48% this year.
Moreover, many far-right Congressional members have staunchly opposed aiding Ukraine. In an August vote, dozens of Republican House members and some Senators even voted against allocating more funds for the war. Many Republicans, aligning with former President Trump, have opposed U.S. involvement in overseas conflicts.
On September 30, Congress passed a 45-day spending bill, averting a government shutdown, but it sidestepped the primary contention between the chambers-funding support for Ukraine.
In contrast, U.S. legislators have consistently shown support for Israel, established by the Jewish people.
From 1974 to 2002, Israel remained the largest recipient of U.S. military aid. From 2003 to 2020, while the U.S. shifted focus to Iraq and Afghanistan, Israel's aid still ranked in the top three. In 2021, U.S. military aid to Israel totaled $3.31 billion, placing Israel back at the top. In 2022, the U.S. provided Israel with $3.18 billion, ranking second.
Since World War II, the U.S. has provided Israel with over $260 billion in military and economic assistance, including nearly $10 billion for missile defense systems like the Iron Dome.
Unlike Ukraine, there's a strong bipartisan consensus in supporting Israel.
The Biden administration has begun offering Israel additional military assistance beyond the Iron Dome system. Biden indicated that once a House Speaker is formally in place, the administration will urge lawmakers to take "urgent action" on security issues concerning countries like Israel and Ukraine.
In the future, the Biden administration plans to push legislation bundling aid for Israel and Ukraine through Congress. House Foreign Affairs Committee member Sherman anticipates that the aid package for Israel will eventually pass as a standalone bill.
By mid-November, the temporary spending bill will expire. Whether the 2024 federal government's new fiscal year spending bill will pass remains uncertain. If the budget is slashed, how will the Biden administration allocate the limited military aid funds?
