In a resounding show of bipartisanship, the Senate passed a comprehensive $95 billion foreign aid package on Tuesday evening, marking a significant step towards bolstering the security of Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. The legislation, meticulously crafted over several months, gained overwhelming support, with 79 senators voting in favor and only 18 expressing opposition. Thirty-one Republicans joined forces with 48 Democrats to pass this crucial measure, signaling a notable shift in sentiment compared to February, when only 22 Republicans supported the aid package.
Two Democrats, Senators Jeff Merkley and Peter Welch, along with independent Senator Bernie Sanders, voted against the legislation, while 15 Republicans also opposed its passage. The package encapsulates four individual bills that garnered bipartisan support in the House over the weekend. Notably, the legislation allocates approximately $26 billion to Israel, which is currently engaged in a conflict with Hamas in Gaza, and a substantial $61 billion to Ukraine, which continues to face relentless bombardment from Russian forces. Additionally, $8 billion will be provided to allies in the Indo-Pacific region, bolstering their security and stability.
A fourth bill included in the package takes a proactive stance by mandating a U.S. ban on TikTok if its Chinese parent company fails to divest its ownership. It also empowers the imposition of sanctions on Russia, China, and Iran, and authorizes the seizure of Russian assets to facilitate Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts in the aftermath of the devastating war.
The legislation, brimming with bipartisan support, will now make its way to President Joe Biden’s desk for his signature, which he has indicated he will provide on Wednesday. In a statement, Biden hailed the Senate’s passage of the bill as a resounding response to the urgent call of history at this critical juncture. He emphasized that the legislation embodies America’s unwavering commitment to strengthening national security and projecting its leadership on the global stage, championing democracy and freedom while standing resolute against tyranny and oppression.
Underscoring the urgent need for foreign aid, President Biden stressed that the recipient countries require these funds with immediate effect. Ukraine, facing relentless bombardment from Russia, desperately needs assistance. Israel, having recently endured unprecedented attacks from Iran, also requires support. Moreover, refugees and those affected by conflicts and natural disasters worldwide, including Gaza, Sudan, and Haiti, rely on this aid. Additionally, the legislation recognizes the importance of providing security and stability to partners in the Indo-Pacific region.
Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed his elation at the bipartisan passage of the foreign aid package during a late-night press conference following the vote. He remarked that it is a rare occasion to have such a profound impact on the world for the better and expressed immense pride in the Senate’s accomplishment. He emphasized that America’s message to the world is clear: we will not abandon our allies and adversaries should be wary of challenging us. Schumer declared that the nation will do everything in its power to defend democracy and its way of life. This national security bill, he added, is one of the most significant measures Congress has passed in recent times, safeguarding America’s security and the security of Western democracies.
Schumer extended his gratitude to his colleagues for their unwavering efforts in steering this vital bill to fruition. He made special mention of Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s unwavering support. McConnell, in an earlier press conference, expressed his belief that the Republican Party is gradually moving away from isolationist tendencies that he has consistently opposed. While acknowledging that isolationism within the party has not been fully eradicated, he noted progress in that direction. He viewed the groundswell of GOP support for the aid package as a victory and expressed optimism that the corner has been turned on the isolationist movement. He acknowledged that proponents of isolationism become visibly uncomfortable when labeled as such, indicating a positive shift in sentiment.
President Biden announced that aid will be swiftly delivered to some allied countries within days. In anticipation of the bill’s passage, the Biden administration has prepared a military assistance package for Ukraine worth approximately $1 billion, with the initial shipment set to arrive within days of approval, according to a statement by a U.S. official on Tuesday. The package will include dringendly needed artillery rounds, air defense ammunition, and armored vehicles. The weapons and equipment will be drawn from existing U.S. stockpiles under presidential drawdown authority (PDA).
Ukraine’s top general in Europe has emphasized that the country cannot prevail in its fight against Russia without the necessary funding. He noted that Ukrainian forces are being outgunned by a ratio of five to one, with Russian forces firing five times as many artillery shells as Ukraine can manage. This, he warned, could worsen to a ratio of ten to one within a matter of weeks, leaving Ukraine in a precarious position. He stressed that the outcome of the war could hinge on the continued support of Ukraine.
The last time Congress approved new aid for Ukraine in its battle against Russian aggression was over a year ago. In recent weeks, the conflict has escalated, with Russian strikes becoming more frequent and Ukraine’s air defenses running low. President Biden initially requested increased assistance for Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific last fall. The Senate passed a $95 billion bill in February, but the legislation encountered resistance in the House, where a coalition of Republican hardliners opposed further overseas funding without addressing domestic issues like immigration.
Speaker Mike Johnson’s stance on Ukraine aid initially aligned with these concerns, demanding changes to border and immigration policy. However, he subsequently worked with Democrats to pass the latest bills. GOP leaders, echoing Johnson’s concerns, had pushed for substantial changes to immigration policy. However, a comprehensive deal in the Senate linking foreign aid to such changes was met with opposition from former President Donald Trump and was deemed insufficient by conservatives.
Pressure intensified on lawmakers to approve aid for overseas allies following Iran’s unprecedented attacks on Israel earlier this month, launched in retaliation for a strike on an Iranian consular complex in Syria. Additionally, Russia’s continued offensive gains added to the sense of urgency. Speaker Johnson, who had previously opposed further aid to Ukraine, indicated last week that he was willing to risk his position on the issue as fellow Republican Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Thomas Massie, and Paul Gosar threatened to oust him. Johnson’s reversal earned him bipartisan praise.
Republican Rep. Michael McCaul, the House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman, acknowledged that Johnson had initially attempted to align with the demands of the Freedom Caucus but recognized the political realities. McCaul emphasized that time was of the essence and that Ukraine was facing imminent collapse. He commended Johnson’s transformation on the issue. In the aftermath of the procedural votes, Schumer also extended his appreciation to Johnson, acknowledging that he had risen to the occasion and done the right thing despite immense political pressure.
The passage of this comprehensive foreign aid package stands as a testament to the power of bipartisanship in addressing global challenges. It reflects a shared commitment to supporting allies, strengthening security, and promoting democracy and freedom worldwide.
