Aware that war fatigue is growing in some US political circles, President Joe Biden has decided to couple his aid request for Ukraine — over $61 billion — with that for Israel of around $14bn, AFP reports.
The 80-year-old Democrat has also asked for some $9bn to respond to international humanitarian crises, including in the Gaza Strip, while sweetening the deal for conservatives with billions of dollars requested for US border security and projects aimed at countering China.
In total, the package amounts to $106 billion.
In the House of Representatives, where Republicans hold a slim majority, a few hard-line conservatives have demanded an immediate end to Ukraine funding.
“The idea that supporting the fight against Russian aggression detracts from other security priorities is false,” top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell said recently.
