President Biden to Give Uncommon Oval Office Speech to Request Additional Military Funding for Israel and Ukraine

President Joe Biden is set to make an unusual address from the Oval Office this Thursday evening, during which he will propose an increase in military aid for Israel and Ukraine, thereby intensifying U.S. engagement in two distinct and complex international conflicts.

The forthcoming address serves as a platform for President Biden to make the case that U.S. intervention in both regions aligns with American national security interests, as well as moral obligations. The address will also serve as an appeal to Congress to approve the requested funding.

Confidential sources, who asked to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of internal discussions, anticipate that the funding proposal, which is scheduled for official release on Friday, will be in the ballpark of $100 billion over the next fiscal year. This proposed budget allocation will also encompass funds designated for Taiwan’s defense and measures to manage migration at the U.S.-Mexico border.

President Biden aims to garner enough bipartisan support for his proposal by incorporating various international and domestic issues into a single legislative package. The address follows his high-profile visit to Israel, where he expressed support for the nation’s struggle against Hamas and advocated for enhanced humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza.

A high-ranking White House official disclosed that President Biden has been meticulously preparing his remarks, in consultation with close advisors, throughout this week, including during his return flight from Israel.

The president confronts a host of formidable obstacles in his pursuit of securing the funding. The House of Representatives remains in a state of disarray, with the Republican majority yet to appoint a successor for the recently removed Speaker, Rep. Kevin McCarthy.

Moreover, conservative Republicans are resistant to increasing military aid to Ukraine as the country’s struggle against Russian aggression nears its two-year anniversary. Biden’s earlier funding request for Ukraine, amounting to $24 billion, was omitted from last month’s budget legislation, even after an appeal from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Warnings have been issued by the White House indicating that the clock is ticking to avert further Ukrainian territorial losses to Russia, owing to shortages in military supplies.

On the other end of the political spectrum, opposition is also expected regarding the provision of military aid to Israel, particularly from progressive Democrats who have expressed increasing criticism of Israel’s ongoing occupation of Palestinian lands.

Josh Paul, a State Department official responsible for the congressional liaison office focused on foreign arms sales, has resigned, citing disagreements with the administration’s policies on arms transfers to Israel.

While in Tel Aviv, President Biden assured Israel that it would not stand alone but also urged caution, invoking the U.S.’ own emotional response following the September 11, 2001 attacks.

The Oval Office speech is one of the highest-profile platforms available to a sitting president, especially during times of crisis. Major networks ABC, NBC, and CBS have all announced that they will interrupt regular programming to broadcast the address live.

Previously, President Biden utilized this platform only once, after the passage of bipartisan budget legislation to avert a national debt default.

In preparation for the supplemental funding request, White House officials, including Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young, have been discreetly briefing lawmakers.

The Senate is poised to act expeditiously on President Biden’s proposal, in hopes of applying pressure on the GOP-led House to resolve its leadership issues.

Concerning border security, it is expected to become a contentious topic during budget discussions. Despite a temporary drop in illegal crossings following the introduction of new asylum policies in May, the numbers surged to a daily average of over 8,000 last month.

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who chairs a Senate committee overseeing Homeland Security funding, pointed out the pressing need for cost reimbursement related to border processing.

Lastly, the inclusion of funding for Taiwan in the proposal is seen as an acknowledgment of the looming threat of another international conflict, as China aims to integrate the autonomous island back into its territory.

For the Biden administration, the focus on Asia as a critical geopolitical sphere is underlined in their national security strategy, which identifies China as the United States’ most significant geopolitical challenger.

Contributions to this report were made by Big Big News correspondents Matthew Lee and Mary Clare Jalonick, as well as AP media writer David Bauder.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Oval Office address

More about Oval Office address

• President Biden’s Foreign Policy Agenda
• Military Aid to Israel: An Overview
• The Ukraine Conflict and U.S. Involvement
• Oval Office Addresses: Historical Context
• Taiwan and U.S.-China Relations
• U.S.-Mexico Border Crisis: Current State
• Congressional Funding Processes Explained
• Bipartisan Support for Israel: A Changing Landscape
• U.S. National Security Strategy 2022
• Senate Legislative Procedures and Timeline