WASHINGTON, DC – Today, a bipartisan group of congressional leaders met with President Joe Biden at the White House to discuss the emergency national security funding package for Ukraine, Israel, and other national security priorities.

After the meeting, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee and a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement:

“We had a very productive meeting today and I am hopeful it will lead to bipartisan action in the near future. President Biden again made clear that the United States stands resolutely behind Ukraine, Israel, and our allies and partners around the world. I appreciate his thoughtful engagement, and I commend his leadership during this dangerous moment.

“During today’s meeting, I expressed my strong support for the President’s emergency supplemental request. The request includes funding to address the conflict in Israel, the war in Ukraine, security in the Indo-Pacific to include funding for the submarine industrial base, U.S. border security, and efforts to counter fentanyl.

“It is in America’s interest to provide vital emergency funding for our allies, to provide humanitarian assistance for innocent people around the world who are suffering from armed conflict, and to address pressing national security challenges. We have a supplemental before us that addresses all of those things. It is imperative that we take up and pass a comprehensive package.”

The Senate is in the midst of considering a bipartisan aid package for Israel and Ukraine. Reed, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, is working with colleagues to build consensus around a comprehensive national security package that will help deter conflict from spreading and includes funding for Israel, Ukraine, the Indo-Pacific and humanitarian aid for Gaza.

In addition to Chairman Reed, members who were invited to attend the meeting included: SASC Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-MS), House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL) and Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA), Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), and the Chairs and Ranking Members of both the Senate and House Appropriations, Foreign Relations, and Intelligence Committees.  The meeting was also attended by leading Administration officials, including White House chief of staff Jeff Zients, National Intelligence Director Avril Haines, and Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young.