Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Wednesday urged that President Biden’s $59 billion budget request include tighter measures to secure the U.S. border, and strong support for Israel and Ukraine.
McConnell said the budget should not cut funding for military personnel, the Defense Department’s counter-homeland terrorism, or overall Department of Homeland Security (DHS) operations, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“In addition, I strongly believe that the $59 billion we are giving State and Local governments – made up of $17 billion to address the pandemic, $13 billion to shore up public health, and $29 billion in direct aid – should include immigration enforcement. We must immediately work to secure our borders. This means more resources at the southern border and stricter limits on border crossings,” said McConnell.
He also strongly endorsed measures in the budget that would continue robust security assistance for Israel and Ukraine.
“We will not waver in our support for Israel’s security or its right to defend itself. Nor will we abandon the brave Ukrainian people in their struggle against Russian aggression. Continued strong security assistance for these two key allies remain essential to reassuring our friends and standing up to our adversaries,” he said.