United States: The US Senate has announced a $118 billion bipartisan agreement to strengthen border security and give Israel and Ukraine aid during times of war.
Conservative Republicans, who have insisted on taking action to stop illegal immigration at the border with Mexico, have resisted US President Joe Biden and Democratic and Republican leaders in the Senate from resupplying Ukraine with aid during the war.
The bill, which was unveiled on Sunday, would give $60 billion in assistance to Ukraine, whose attempts to repel Russia’s invasion have been hindered by the US cutting off missile and ammunition supplies.
In addition, the agreement would give Israel $14.1 billion in military assistance: $2.44 billion would be used to improve security in the Red Sea, where Houthi rebels from Yemen have attacked commercial ships numerous times, and $4.83 billion would be used to assist allies in Asia where tensions between China and Taiwan have risen.
As part of the agreement, the president would have additional authority to deport immigrants right away in the event that authorities were overloaded with requests for asylum, and border crossing applications would be subject to stricter, faster enforcement.
November’s presidential election is anticipated to centre on the topic of illegal immigration, as Republican front-runner Donald Trump has focused much of his campaign on allegations of a southern border “invasion.”
In order for him to sign the agreement into law, Biden urged Congress to “swiftly pass” the agreement on Sunday. He also cautioned Republicans who have voiced concerns about border security that “doing nothing is not an option.”
A vote on the bill is expected to take place on Wednesday, according to Democratic Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, who called the package a “monumental step towards strengthening America’s national security abroad and along our borders.”
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