President Joe Biden to Rally Support for Ukraine at United Nations General Assembly

President Joe Biden is set to address the annual United Nations General Assembly, where he will focus on rallying global support for Ukraine. This comes as House Republicans engage in a funding fight over aid to Ukraine. Biden's speech will also touch on other pressing issues, including the economic consequences of the United Auto Workers strike and the fallout from his son's indictment and the ongoing impeachment inquiry.

Biden's reelection bid will be top of mind during his time in New York, and his national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, has previewed the speech as showcasing American leadership and the importance of working with others to solve global problems. There is a growing demand for increased American engagement, investment, and presence across the world, and Biden aims to address this demand.

While foreign policy rarely impacts votes, the White House is emphasizing Biden's global statesman image and his efforts to revitalize coalitions that were damaged during the previous administration. In fact, Biden's recent secret trip to Kyiv was turned into a campaign ad to push back against critics who question his age and ability to do the job.

During his time at the United Nations General Assembly, Biden is expected to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and may push for a normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. However, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be in attendance at the U.N. meeting.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will make an appearance at the United Nations General Assembly to urge leaders to stand with Kyiv. Zelenskyy will also travel to Washington to make his case at the White House and Capitol Hill. It is worth noting that American public support for Ukraine tends to increase after a Zelenskyy set-piece, and the White House believes the timing of his visit is ideal to capitalize on this growing support.

In the midst of these diplomatic efforts, House Republicans have introduced a government funding bill that does not include aid for Ukraine. However, President Biden's speech at the United Nations will pledge continued support for Ukraine, and the hope is that his remarks, along with Zelenskyy's appearances, will put pressure on Republicans to fund the war in Ukraine.

It is important to note that former President Donald Trump has questioned the need to back Ukraine and expressed a desire to broker a peace deal with Russia. However, Congress has already approved $113 billion in aid for Ukraine, including $70 billion for security assistance.

In addition to the focus on Ukraine, President Biden is also dealing with the economic consequences of the United Auto Workers strike. Approximately 13,000 UAW members in Michigan, Ohio, and Missouri are on strike after their contracts expired. The strike is targeting specific plants of Ford Motor Co., General Motors, and Stellantis.

President Biden has defended the workers' right to strike and called on companies to share their profits with workers. United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain emphasizes that the union's endorsement of President Biden must be earned, and the fight is about workers winning their fair share of economic justice.

The historic UAW strike could have a significant impact on the auto industry, with ten states bearing the brunt of any economic consequences. The University of Michigan economists have conducted a report on the potential economic impact, with Michigan, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, and Texas being the most affected states.

Former Vice President Mike Pence has blamed President Biden for the strike, referring to it as a display of "failed reality of Bidenomics." However, Senator Bernie Sanders has praised Biden for calling on auto companies to share their profits with workers, emphasizing the importance of a strong labor movement benefiting everyone.

Recognizing the significance of the UAW strike, President Biden has dispatched a team to help resolve the dispute between the union and the Big Three auto companies. White House adviser Gene Sperling and acting Labor Secretary Julie Su have been named by Biden to go to Detroit and support talks aimed at resolving the strike.

President Joe Biden's upcoming speech at the United Nations General Assembly will focus on rallying support for Ukraine. He will also address the economic consequences of the United Auto Workers strike and navigate the fallout from his son's indictment and the impeachment inquiry. The White House aims to emphasize Biden's global statesman image and revitalize coalitions damaged by the previous administration.