The U.S. Senate has unveiled a $118 billion bipartisan bill that includes funding for border security, aid to Ukraine, and assistance for Israel.
The bill allocates $20.23 billion for border security,
$60.06 billion to support Ukraine,
$14.1 billion in security assistance for Israel,
$2.44 billion to U.S. Central Command, and
$4.83 billion to support U.S. partners in the Indo-Pacific facing aggression from China 1.
Additionally, the bill provides $10 billion for humanitarian assistance for civilians in conflict zones Gaza and the West Bank, with a provision barring its funds from going to the U.N. agency for Palestinians, UNRWA1.
The legislation crucially links the foreign aid to immigration policy, aiming to ensure enough bipartisan support for its passage4.
The bill faces opposition in the House of Representatives, with some declaring it “dead on arrival”3.
What are the arguments against the bill?
The arguments against the $118 billion bill include concerns about its provisions on immigration and foreign aid. Some critics question whether the bill truly ends the “catch and release” program for undocumented immigrants and raises concerns about the significant changes it proposes in asylum, detention bed numbers, and border emergency authority1.
Additionally, there are objections to linking foreign aid to immigration policy, with some expressing that the bill won’t come close to ending the border challenges4. The bill faces significant opposition in the House of Representatives, with some declaring it “dead on arrival,” and it is losing support on Capitol Hill, with concerns raised by both Republicans and Democrats5.
Compare :
Ukraine: Population of Ukraine: approximately 44 million people (estimated as of 2021). Amount allocated for Ukraine: $60.06 billion.
Israel: Population of Israel: approximately 9.3 million people (estimated as of 2021). Amount allocated for Israel: $14.1 billion.
U.S. Borders (excluding Gaza and the West Bank): Population: over 331 million people (estimated as of 2021). Amount allocated for borders: $20.23 billion.
U.S. Central Command: This amount is intended for the defense and security of the U.S. in the Central Command region, covering the Middle East and Central Asia. Population is not applicable as it is not a country but a military structure. Amount allocated for Central Command: $2.44 billion.
U.S. Partners in the Indo-Pacific Region: Amount allocated to support U.S. partners in the Indo-Pacific region facing aggression from China: $4.83 billion.
Humanitarian Assistance for Gaza and the West Bank (Palestine): Population: approximately 5 million people. Amount allocated for humanitarian aid: $10 billion.
- Ukraine:
- Aid amount: $60.06 billion.
- Population: about 44 million people.
- Aid per person in Ukraine: 60.06×10944×10644×10660.06×109 = approximately $1363.64 per person.
- Average salary in Ukraine: Let’s assume the average salary is about $400 per month (approximately $4800 per year).
- Israel:
- Aid amount: $14.1 billion.
- Population: about 9.3 million people.
- Aid per person in Israel: 14.1×1099.3×1069.3×10614.1×109 = approximately $1516.13 per person.
- Average salary in Israel: Let’s assume the average salary is about $3000 per month (approximately $36000 per year).
- Gaza – Palestine:
- Aid amount: $10 billion.
- Population: about 5 million people.
- Aid per person in Gaza – Palestine: 10×1095×1065×10610×109 = $2000 per person.
- Average salary in Gaza – Palestine: It is difficult to determine the exact average salary in this region, but it is significantly lower than in Ukraine and Israel.\
Aid to Israel, affected by attacks from Gaza, equates to half a month’s work at the average salary in the country.
Aid to Ukraine, affected by attacks from Russia, amounts to more than three months’ work at the average salary.
Aid to Gaza, which perpetrated attacks on Israel, equals at least five months’ work at the average salary per resident.
The true essence of the bill on border security, aid to Ukraine, and assistance to Israel lies in its foundation. However, if we consider it in terms of average salaries, the real title would be “Assistance to Gaza”.