Current:Home > FinanceBiden urges House to take up Ukraine and Israel aid package: "Pass this bill immediately" -Excel Money Vision
Biden urges House to take up Ukraine and Israel aid package: "Pass this bill immediately"
View
Date:2025-04-12 17:44:37
Washington — President Biden urged House Republicans to "immediately" take up a $95 billion foreign aid bill that includes assistance to Ukraine and Israel after the Senate passed the measure early Tuesday, saying that "there's no question" that it would pass if brought to the House floor.
"I call on the speaker to let the full House speak its mind and not allow a minority of the most extreme voices in the House to block this bill even from being voted on," the president said in remarks at the White House, which came hours after the Senate's 70-29 vote to approve the measure. "This is a critical act for the House to move."
Mr. Biden said the Senate "came together to send a message of unity to the world," adding that "it's time for the House Republicans to do the same thing, to pass this bill immediately."
The bill would provide tens of billions of dollars in aid to U.S. allies, including about $60 billion for Ukraine and $14.1 billion for Israel, along with around $9.2 billion for humanitarian assistance in Gaza. A bipartisan group of senators coalesced around the package on Tuesday morning, propelling it to passage. But recent criticism from House Speaker Mike Johnson has thrown its prospects in the lower chamber into question.
Mr. Biden urged Johnson to move forward with the legislation, saying "it needs to move" to provide "urgent funding for Ukraine so it can keep defending itself against Putin's vicious, vicious onslaught."
"This bipartisan bill sends a clear message to Ukrainians and to our partners and to our allies around the world — America can be trusted, America can be relied upon and America stands up for freedom," Mr. Biden said. "We stand strong for our allies, we never bow down to anyone, and certainly not to Vladimir Putin."
The president outlined two options for the House: standing up to the Kremlin by supporting the bill, or "playing into Putin's hands" by opposing the package.
"History is watching," Mr. Biden said. "Failure to support Ukraine at this critical moment will never be forgotten."
Mr. Biden also took the opportunity to rail against former President Donald Trump for suggesting over the weekend that he wouldn't protect NATO member countries from Russia if they don't spend enough on defense. Mr. Biden said the comments had raised the stakes for American security and gave Putin an "invitation" to "invade some of our NATO allies."
"The whole world heard it. And the worst thing is he means it. No other president in our history has ever bowed down to a Russian dictator. And let me say this as clearly as I can — I never will," Mr. Biden said, calling the comments "dumb," "shameful," and "un-American."
"NATO is a sacred commitment. Donald Trump looks at this as if it's a burden," Mr. Biden said. "He doesn't understand that the sacred commitment we've given works for us as well."
Mr. Biden said U.S. adversaries have "long sought to create cracks in the alliance," adding that "the greatest hope of all of those who wish America harm is for NATO to fall apart."
"And you can be sure that they all cheered when they heard Donald Trump," he said.
Kaia HubbardKaia Hubbard is a politics reporter for CBS News Digital based in Washington, D.C.
veryGood! (9)
Related
- 'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
- Boys who survived mass shooting, father believed dead in California boating accident
- Alabama vs LSU live updates: Crimson Tide-Tigers score, highlights and more from SEC game
- Model Georgina Cooper Dead at 46
- 'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
- Ariana Grande's Parents Joan Grande and Edward Butera Support Her at Wicked Premiere
- Gov. Tim Walz vows to fight Donald Trump’s agenda while working to understand his appeal
- Obama relatives settle racial bias dispute with private school in Milwaukee
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- California Gov. Newsom fined over delays in reporting charitable donations
Ranking
- Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
- New LA police chief sworn in as one of the highest-paid chiefs in the US
- Kohl’s unveils Black Friday plans: Here’s when customers can expect deals
- 'Disclaimer' stars break down that 'horrific' and 'shocking' finale twist (spoilers)
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Years of shortchanging elections led to Honolulu’s long voter lines
- Bill Self matches Phog Allen for most wins at Kansas as No. 1 Jayhawks take down No. 10 UNC
- Real Housewives of Atlanta Star Porsha Williams Influenced Me to Buy 50 These Products
Recommendation
Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
Kevin O'Connell encourages benched Anthony Richardson: 'I still believe in you'
Bribery case adds to problems in Mississippi city with water woes and policing disputes
Meet Chloe East, the breakout star of new religious horror movie 'Heretic' with Hugh Grant
Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
1 monkey recovered safely, 42 others remain on the run from South Carolina lab
Horoscopes Today, November 8, 2024
Watch as Rockefeller Christmas tree begins journey to NYC: Here's where it's coming from