Senate to Review Biden Administration’s $105 Billion National Security Supplemental Request This Week

This week, the U.S. Senate is set to review a national security supplemental request from the Biden administration, which includes aid to Ukraine and Israel, efforts to contain China, and tougher border security in the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will testify before the Senate Appropriations Committee in support of the $105 billion measure.

Meanwhile, House Republicans are planning to vote on an emergency aid package for Israel that does not include funding for other U.S. allies facing critical threats, such as Ukraine and Taiwan. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has been advocating for the broader national security spending bill, which could be a legacy-defining issue for the 81-year-old senator.

The Senate and the House are at odds over how to proceed with the funding request. McConnell has argued that the measure should be passed in one package, while House Republicans are pushing for a more targeted approach. The House vote on the emergency aid package for Israel is expected to take place this week.

The outcome of the Senate hearing and the House vote will be critical in determining the future of the Biden administration’s national security spending bill. It remains to be seen whether the Senate and the House can come to an agreement on the issue.