According to NBC News, US Congressional leaders hope to garner support for additional military aid to Ukraine and Israel, as well as the improvement of the immigration system by Christmas.
The US Senate recognizes that the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas (November 23 – December 24) is crucial. Concerns exist among both Republicans and Democrats that if the schedule extends into the New Year, the chances of approving all four components of the plan – aid to Israel, Ukraine, and the Indo-Pacific region, as well as border security – will sharply diminish.
“My best guess is that Israel will be approved separately, and Ukraine will be linked to progress on the border,” one legislator stated.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer emphasized that passing additional aid would be his priority between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
“I know both sides genuinely care about approving aid to Israel and Ukraine. So I hope we can come to an agreement even if neither side gets everything they insist on. But it — we will be working on it immediately when we get back after Thanksgiving,” Schumer said from the Senate floor Wednesday.
Meanwhile, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, a staunch supporter of funding for Ukraine and Israel, regularly communicates with House Speaker Michael Johnson regarding additional assistance. According to NBC News, McCaul receives calls from leaders of Israel and Ukraine, who are increasingly concerned that critical support from the United States may never materialize.
It was previously reported that Republicans in Congress threatened to block aid to Ukraine if it did not include a resolution on US border security. On 17 November, US President Joe Biden signed a short-term government funding bill to avoid a government shutdown, which does not include funding for support to Ukraine and Israel. The bill does not address the White House’s request for nearly $106 billion, covering assistance to Israel and Ukraine, with $61 billion allocated to Kyiv.
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