While the House and Senate are headed for a showdown over combining Ukraine and Israel aid in one supplemental package, Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is doubling down on his support for Ukraine.<\/p>\n
\u2018This is a moment for swift and decisive action to prevent further loss of life,\u2019 McConnell said Monday during a McConnell Center speaker series in Louisville, Kentucky. \u2018And to oppose real consequences on the tyrants who terrorized the people of Ukraine and Israel, and right now, the Senate has a chance to produce supplemental assistance that will help us do exactly that.\u2019<\/p>\n
McConnell coupled Hamas\u2019 attack on Israel with the Russian invasion of Ukraine that began in February 2022, calling it an \u2018axis of evil\u2019 that includes China, Russia and Iran.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2018So this is not just a test for Ukraine,\u2019 McConnell said. \u2018It\u2019s a test for the United States and for the free world and the path toward greater security for all of us.\u2019<\/p>\n
Distinguished speaker Oksana Markarova, Ukraine ambassador to the U.S., echoed McConnell and said the Russia-Ukraine conflict is an \u2018existential war\u2019 that requires continued support from the U.S.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2018Please stand a little bit longer with us, so we can win and Ukraine could not only win this, but be an answer to so many global problems,\u2019 Markarova said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The U.S. has already sent more than $100 billion to Ukraine, and skepticism among American voters and Republican lawmakers is rising. According to a recent Fox News poll, voters are now more likely to feel U.S. support of Ukraine should have a limited time frame as opposed to waiting as long as it takes for it to prevail.<\/p>\n
Just over half, 51%, think there should be a time limit, while 45% feel the U.S. should continue to support war-torn Ukraine indefinitely.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s a reversal from February, when 46% wanted a limit and 50% said support should last as long as it takes.<\/p>\n
And newly-elected House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is expected to advance a proposal this week that only includes aid to Israel. He said Sunday he would move forward with a $14.5 billion aid package for Israel when the House reconvenes later this week.<\/p>\n
Last week, GOP Sens. Roger Marshall of Kansas, Ted Cruz of Texas, JD Vance of Ohio and Mike Lee of Utah introduced a stand-alone bill to funnel aid to Israel without tying it to Ukraine aid.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The proposal comes after the Biden administration\u2019s Office of Management and Budget sent Congress an emergency supplemental funding package request earlier this month totaling $106 billion to aid Ukraine and Israel and to speed up asylum processing at the southern border.<\/p>\n
The funding proposal includes $61.4 billion for Ukraine, $14.3 billion for Israel (with $10.6 billion allocated for military aid), $13.6 billion for border protection (including measures to combat the flow of fentanyl) and significant investments in Indo-Pacific security assistance, totaling around $7.4 billion. Additionally, there is $9 billion earmarked for humanitarian aid in Ukraine, Israel and Gaza.<\/p>\n
Congress will have to agree on a package, with Republicans likely proposing several amendments before it is sent back to Biden\u2019s office for signature.<\/p>\n
Fox News\u2019 Victoria Balara contributed to this report.<\/p>\n