U.S. Sen Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) recently joined in a letter asking Senate leadership not to tie sending aid to Israel with continued assistance to Ukraine.
Tuberville and other Republican congressmen have expressed skepticism over funding the war in Ukraine. In September, he opposed giving Ukraine another $24 billion in its continued war effort against Russia.
Ukraine funding was at the heart of the near-government shutdown earlier this month. Many in the House and Senate opposed additional funding for the conflict, as it increased the federal budget.
In the wake of Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, many of those same lawmakers have now called for Israel's financial and military support as it continues its counterattack.
In a recent $105 billion national security spending package approved by President Joe Biden, $61.4 billion is allocated to Ukraine, paired with $14.3 billion for Israel. Tuberville and others decried the package since Congress has already doled out well over $100 billion to the Ukrainian government.
In the letter, Tuberville and 10 other senators urge leadership not to leverage Israel’s funding in exchange for further funds for Ukraine.
“[I]t is critical we give prompt consideration to any request for financial aid or other material support requested by Israel,” the letter read. “Based on the breadth of responses from members of Congress, there is a shared urgency to consider such a request.”
“That being said, we know there will no doubt be efforts to attach any funding to Israel to more aid to Ukraine, in excess of the already $113 billion Congress has provided to Ukraine,” it continued. “These are two separate conflicts and it would be wrong to leverage support of aid to Israel in attempt to get additional aid for Ukraine across the finish line. Furthermore, it would be irresponsible and we should not risk a government shutdown by bundling these priorities together, thus complicating the process and lessening the likelihood of a funding package.”
To connect with the story's author or comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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