President Joe Biden plans to gather the top four congressional leaders at the White House on Tuesday to urge them to pass an emergency aid package for Ukraine and Israel, and to prevent a potential government shutdown next month, as per a White House official.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, also a Democrat from New York, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky, constitute the top four leaders.
Biden Urges Approval of $95B Aid for Ukraine
President Biden is set to hold a crucial meeting with congressional leaders to emphasize the pressing need for passing a bipartisan aid package, alongside legislation to ensure the federal government's operation until the end of September. The meeting, details of which were shared by an anonymous White House official, will focus on the urgency of approving a $95 billion national security package, providing increased assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific region.
While the bipartisan-supported national security package received a 70-29 vote approval in the Senate, resistance from Republican Speaker Johnson to bring the aid bill to a vote in the House has become a significant hurdle. White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan highlighted the critical role Johnson could play in shaping history by putting the bill forward, expressing confidence in a strong bipartisan majority supporting aid to Ukraine.
The immediate need for the provision of arms and ammunition to assist the Ukrainian people in their defense against Russian forces was raised by Sullivan. It was brought to his attention that during personal meetings with Speaker Johnson, signs were conveyed of a willingness to make sure that Ukraine received funds. The aid package, which is essential for the protection of world security, is inextricably connected to the continuing war that is taking place between Russia and Ukraine, as per ABC News.
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Biden Urges Funding Agreement Amid Shutdown Threat
Separately, the meeting will address the impending expiration of the first tranche of government funding on Friday, with the remainder, including key agencies like the Pentagon, Homeland Security, and State Department, facing expiration on March 8. Senate Majority Leader Schumer highlighted the absence of an agreement to avert a partial government shutdown, urging Johnson to prioritize securing funding to prevent disruptions to essential agencies.
President Biden, in recent weeks, has been consistently urging Congress to swiftly pass additional funding to support Ukraine in its struggle against Russia. The Senate had previously passed comprehensive national security funding, including allocations for Ukraine, Israel, and Indo-Pacific allies. However, challenges persist in the House, with Johnson signaling reluctance due to perceived shortcomings in border provisions.
As Congress reconvenes this week, they confront tight deadlines of March 1 and March 8 for agencies, intensifying the urgency to bridge differences, pass funding bills, and avert a government shutdown. President Biden's meeting with congressional leaders echoes his persistent efforts to secure essential funding for Ukraine and address critical funding gaps to maintain government operations, according to The Hill.
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