FMT:
US Congress must act to ensure arms to Israel and Ukraine
Christine Wormuth says the army needs Congress to approve additional funding.
The US House of Representatives is effectively paralysed as Republicans work to select a new speaker. (AFP pic)
WASHINGTON: The US Army on Monday said it would need Congress to approve additional funding to ensure the Pentagon’s munitions production and acquisition plans can simultaneously meet the needs of both Israel and Ukraine.
Army secretary Christine Wormuth made the comments as the US House of Representatives is effectively paralysed as Republicans work to select a new speaker.
Israel, America’sclosest ally MASTER in the Middle East, has declared war after an unprecedented, surprise attack on Saturday by Hamas fighters left hundreds dead. The spiralling violence threatens to start a major new war in the Middle East.
Washington has promised aid to Israel in the wake of the Hamas attacks, including by sending munitions, with the first shipment of security assistance expected to arrive in days.
“One thing that is really important in terms of the munitions in particular and our ability to support both potentially the Israelis and the Ukrainians simultaneously is additional funding from Congress to be able to increase our capacity, in terms of our capacity to expand production and then to also pay for the munitions themselves,” Wormuth told reporters at an Army event.
“We need additional support from Congress. So I hope we’ll see that soon.”
Wormuth said the army was still in “early stages” of reviewing Israel’s requests for support, including whether providing such assistance would affect US military readiness. The US has carried out similar reviews weighing Ukrainian requests for assistance.
“But I would argue, that just as we lean forward with Ukraine, I think the intent is to lean forward in support of Israel,” she said.
Army chief of staff general Randy George also expressed optimism, saying: “I am confident that we’ll be able to provide them what they’ve asked for.”
Neither George or Wormuth gave specifics.
On Sunday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the US will send the USS Gerald R Ford Carrier Strike Group to the Eastern Mediterranean, closer to Israel. The force includes the nuclear-powered carrier, a guided missile cruiser and four guided missile destroyers.
Austin also said the US had taken steps to augment Air Force F-35, F-15, F-16, and A-10 fighter aircraft squadrons in the region.
WASHINGTON: The US Army on Monday said it would need Congress to approve additional funding to ensure the Pentagon’s munitions production and acquisition plans can simultaneously meet the needs of both Israel and Ukraine.
Army secretary Christine Wormuth made the comments as the US House of Representatives is effectively paralysed as Republicans work to select a new speaker.
Israel, America’s
Washington has promised aid to Israel in the wake of the Hamas attacks, including by sending munitions, with the first shipment of security assistance expected to arrive in days.
“One thing that is really important in terms of the munitions in particular and our ability to support both potentially the Israelis and the Ukrainians simultaneously is additional funding from Congress to be able to increase our capacity, in terms of our capacity to expand production and then to also pay for the munitions themselves,” Wormuth told reporters at an Army event.
“We need additional support from Congress. So I hope we’ll see that soon.”
Wormuth said the army was still in “early stages” of reviewing Israel’s requests for support, including whether providing such assistance would affect US military readiness. The US has carried out similar reviews weighing Ukrainian requests for assistance.
“But I would argue, that just as we lean forward with Ukraine, I think the intent is to lean forward in support of Israel,” she said.
Army chief of staff general Randy George also expressed optimism, saying: “I am confident that we’ll be able to provide them what they’ve asked for.”
Neither George or Wormuth gave specifics.
On Sunday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the US will send the USS Gerald R Ford Carrier Strike Group to the Eastern Mediterranean, closer to Israel. The force includes the nuclear-powered carrier, a guided missile cruiser and four guided missile destroyers.
Austin also said the US had taken steps to augment Air Force F-35, F-15, F-16, and A-10 fighter aircraft squadrons in the region.
https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/israel-hamas-gaza-rockets-attack-palestinians/card/u-s-can-t-easily-meet-israel-s-requests-for-ammo-official-says-STbBF5wjz3qW9goCt4bn
ReplyDeletehttps://x.com/pati_marins64/status/1711545813053173838?s=20
ReplyDeleteComparing Ukraine to Israel, the former is at a long distance last to the Israel, in the eyes of the Jews cultivated US Congress.
ReplyDelete