Senate Briefing Erupts Into Shouting Over Biden's Israel, Ukraine Aid Package
The Facts
A classified briefing for US Senators on Tuesday broke down into heated arguments and shouting, according to multiple accounts. In doing so, the briefing failed to break a deadlock, casting doubt on whether Congress will approve Pres. Joe Biden's national security package before the end of the year.
The $110.5B package proposed by Democrats includes an additional $60B for Ukraine, military aid for Israel, as well as allocations for securing the US-Mexico border and humanitarian assistance. However, the fate of the bill has looked dim with Republicans demanding more stringent restrictions on immigration since last month — changes considered unpalatable to most Democrats.
The Spin
Democratic narrative
Republicans hijacked this briefing. Administration officials had been there to brief Congress on Ukraine's dire need for military aid. Instead, Republicans wanted to turn it all about border security, reaching such a fever pitch that they began screaming at military officials.
Republican narrative
This briefing was called to discuss Pres. Biden's proposed security package — a portion of which is dedicated to securing the US border with Mexico. Democrats wanted to conduct the meeting with no mention of this issue. Tempers only flared when Republicans tried to address it — and this was addressed to Sen. Schumer, not any military officials.
