President Biden advocates for national security bill passage

President Biden is scheduled to deliver a speech at the White House on Tuesday, urging Congress to pass a national security supplemental bill that includes funding for Ukraine, Israel, and border security. The proposed bill, amounting to $118 billion for foreign aid and seeking to overhaul key aspects of the U.S. immigration system, has encountered opposition from both House and Senate Republicans, posing a significant hurdle to its passage.

Republican opposition and negotiations

Republican Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi voiced his skepticism, asserting, "I think the proposal is dead," following discussions in Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's office on Monday evening. The White House has been persistently advocating for the approval of an emergency supplemental bill to allocate substantial aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. However, Republicans have emphasized the inclusion of measures to curb illegal border crossings, leading to a deadlock.

Despite efforts by Democratic Senator Chris Murphy, Republican Senator James Lankford, and independent Senator Kyrsten Sinema to negotiate a compromise on the immigration provisions, opposition from Republicans has grown. Detractors argue that the bill's current form does not go far enough in deterring illegal border crossings, with Speaker Mike Johnson warning that the Senate bill is unlikely to gain traction in the House.

Standalone Bill for Israel and White House Response

Simultaneously, the lower chamber plans to vote on a standalone bill to offer additional assistance to Israel on Tuesday evening. Conversely, the Biden administration has announced its intention to veto the bill if it reaches the president's desk, as it diverges from the broader national security agreement that the White House has been advocating for.

The Office of Management and Budget condemned the bill as a "cynical political maneuver," emphasizing the paramount importance of the security of Israel and urging Congress to swiftly reject the standalone bill. The administration's statement underscored the need for the bipartisan Emergency National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act to be expeditiously passed and presented for the president's approval.

Implications and presidential address

The president's address is set for 11:45 a.m. ET and will be available for live viewing on CBS News. The speech is aimed at garnering support for the national security bill, which has faced escalating opposition from congressional Republicans. The outcome of this legislative battle will significantly impact the allocation of resources for crucial foreign aid and immigration-related measures in the United States.