Headline Roundup • October 20th, 2023
Biden Pledges More Aid for Ukraine, Middle East in Prime-Time Speech
World,Middle East,Israel,Gaza,Palestine,Israel Hamas Violence,Ukraine War,Ukraine,Russia,Foreign Aid,Foreign Policy
Summary from the AllSides News Team
In a speech from the Oval Office Thursday night, President Joe Biden said he's issuing an emergency funding request for more aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Gaza, which reports say amounts to over $100 billion in new assistance.
Key Quotes: "To support our critical partners, including Israel and Ukraine, is a smart investment that’s going to pay dividends to American security for generations, help us keep American troops out of harm’s way, help us build a world that is safer, more peaceful, more prosperous for our children and grandchildren," Biden said. Watch the speech here.
The Details: The request reportedly seeks roughly $61 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion for Israel, $14 billion for the U.S.-Mexico border, $9 billion for humanitarian causes in Gaza and other countries, and $2 billion for the Indo-Pacific region. It's the second time Biden has delivered a prime-time speech from the Oval Office.
How the Media Covered it: Sources across the spectrum noted the rarity of Biden delivering live remarks in prime time. HuffPost (Left bias) cast doubt on the aid request's chances of passing through the House of Representatives, where it suggested "followers of coup-attempting former President Donald Trump" may oppose it. National Review's news section (Lean Right) highlighted Republicans who "have been skeptical of Biden’s proposed package, pushing back against the idea of tying Israel’s aid to assistance for Ukraine."
Featured Coverage of this Story
AP PHOTO/ EVAN VUCCI
Fresh off a visit to Israel following the Hamas terror attack that killed more than 1,300 Israelis, President Joe Biden pitched a $100 billion plan Thursday night to help both that country and Ukraine defend themselves as well as to provide humanitarian relief for the 2 million residents of Gaza.
“I know these conflicts can seem far away. It’s natural to ask, ‘Why does this matter to America?’ Let me share with you why making sure Israel and Ukraine succeed is vital for America’s national security,” Biden said from the Oval Office...
Congress that seeks additional money for border security, allies in the Indo-Pacific and for Israel and Ukraine in their respective conflicts against Hamas and Russia.
The largest portion of the request – roughly $61 billion – covers money for Ukraine, which for nearly two years has been fighting against invading Russian forces with U.S. assistance.
The administration is also seeking $14 billion to boost Israel’s defense, nearly $14 billion for personnel and operations at the U.S.-Mexico border, $10 billion in humanitarian aid and $2 billion for Indo-Pacific security assistance.
The...
President Biden called on Congress to send additional aid to Israel and Ukraine in a rare prime-time address from the Oval Office on Thursday evening, in which he denounced Hamas terrorists but also drew a clear distinction regarding the need to assist “innocent Palestinians.”
“Hamas and [Russian president Vladimir] Putin represent different threats, but they share this in common: They both want to completely annihilate a neighboring democracy,” Biden said.
Biden announced his intention to send Congress an “urgent budget request to fund America’s national-security needs.”
“To support our...
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