We use cookies on this website. By continuing to use this site without changing your cookie settings, you agree that you are happy to accept our privacy policy and for us to access our cookies on your device.
The Biden administration is running out of time to secure a deal on tens of billions of dollars in wartime aid for Ukraine and Israel that Senate Republicans blocked Wednesday. President Joe Biden has signaled that he is willing to compromise on Republicans’ demands on border security to get the package through. But his aides accuse Republicans of ignoring Biden’s proposal. White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara has this report.
Content TypePackage
LanguageEnglish
Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: US Ukraine Aid TV
HEADLINE: White House and Republicans Stuck in Ukraine Funding Impasse
TEASER: Time is running out to secure $60 billion of wartime aid.
PUBLISHED: 12/07/2023
BYLINE: Patsy Widakuswara
WRITERS:
CONTRIBUTER: Tatiana Vorozhko, Katherine Gypson
VIDEOGRAPHER: Oleksii Osyka
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Steve Baragona, Aru Pande
VIDEO SOURCE (S): feeds, VOA original of Cameron
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _x_ RADIO __
TRT:
VID APPROVED BY:
TYPE: TVR
EDITOR NOTES: Radio track included. There is a WEB from Katherine Gypson.))
((INTRO:))
[[The Biden administration is running out of time to secure a deal on tens of billions of dollars in wartime aid for Ukraine and Israel that Senate Republicans blocked Wednesday. President Joe Biden has signaled that he is willing to compromise on Republicans’ demands on border security to get the package through. But his aides accuse Republicans of ignoring Biden’s proposal. White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara has this report.]]
((Latest Ukraine fight, AFP V000_34724W6))
((NARRATOR))
Images released by the Ukrainian army shows the damage in the aftermath of a Russian attack in the southern city of Kherson Thursday, as U.S. funding for Kyiv’s defense against Moscow’s invasion
((Senate vote, AFP V000_34748M4))
((NARRATOR))
is blocked by Senate Republicans
((File of border, AFP V000_VID1312259_EN))
((NARRATOR))
who are demanding tougher measures to secure the U.S. border with Mexico.
((Radio: Republican senator Jim Risch, speaking to VOA.))
((https://app.frame.io/projects/ae30dd8f-b6c4-418a-b02d-530603115a58/7fcd2ade-c7d0-4ba8-afe7-5a3d60a33713 ))
((Jim Risch, Republican Senator))
“We Republicans are very serious about closing our southern border. We have about over 10,000 people a day – illegals – crossing into the United States. We need to defend our border first and foremost.”
((File of border, AFP V000_VID1312259_EN))
((NARRATOR))
The White House says Republicans have ignored its border and immigration reform proposal.
((Putin file, AFP V000_346Y3DN))
((NARRATOR))
President Joe Biden warned on Wednesday that if Kyiv loses its war, Russian President Vladimir Putin will move beyond Ukraine to attack a NATO member and the U.S. will be obligated to defend it.
((Biden walks in, AP 4467292))
((NARRATOR))
((AP 4467292))
((President Joe Biden))
“Then we'll have something that we don't seek and that we don't have today: American troops fighting Russian troops. American troops fighting Russian troops if he moves into other parts of NATO.
((Biden walks out, AP 4467292))
((NARRATOR))
Biden has signaled he is willing to compromise,
((Ukrainian soldiers training, AFP V000_347486J))
((NARRATOR))
but he says time is running out. There is $4.8 billion remaining in aid for Ukraine but only $1.1 billion left to replenish U.S. weapons and equipment stockpiles to supply Kyiv what it needs.
((Radio: Emma Ashford, senior fellow with the Reimagining U.S. Grand Strategy program at the Stimson Center, via Skype))
((https://app.frame.io/player/03d9d90f-dc56-49d5-ac07-251502eb2562 TC 1:59))
((Emma Ashford, Stimson Center)) ((Skype))
“If U.S. aid doesn't come through, Europeans are likely to step into the breach to some extent. But at a minimum, the Ukrainians are going to have to turn to a more defensive war, and potentially start to look for ways to actually end the conflict.”
((Kirby walks in, MRT clip))
((NARRATOR))
VOA asked the National Security Council’s John Kirby whether the administration would support cease-fire negotiations.
((MRT clip))
((John Kirby, National Security Council))
“President Zelenskyy gets to determine how and when this war ends and under what conditions that he's willing to negotiate with Mr. Putin.”
((Dollar bills printed, AFP V000_VID1214795_EN, Congress file))
((NARRATOR))
To pass $60 billion in aid for Ukraine and $10 billion for Israel, Congress has limited time before the end-of-year break.
European partners are nervous.
((Latest Ukraine fight, AFP V000_34724W6))
((NARRATOR))
Britain will continue supporting Kyiv, Foreign Secretary David Cameron told VOA on Thursday.
((
https://app.frame.io/projects/ae30dd8f-b6c4-418a-b02d-530603115a58/7fcd2ade-c7d0-4ba8-afe7-5a3d60a33713 ))
((David Cameron, British Foreign Secretary))
“But clearly America is an essential partner in this they are the world's biggest economy, the biggest defense player, absolutely vital.”
((Shutdown scenes file AFP V000_33WW9HX))
((NARRATOR))
Complicating matters, January 19 is also the first deadline to fund part of the government to prevent a shutdown.
Patsy Widakuswara, VOA News.
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateDecember 7, 2023 21:32 EST
Byline Patsy Widakuswara
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English