US President Biden Signs $95 Billion Aid Package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan
President Joe Biden has signed into law a $95 billion aid package that includes assistance for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. The package also includes a provision that would force social media site TikTok to either be sold or be banned in the US. The announcement marks an end to a long, painful battle with Republicans in Congress over urgently needed assistance for Ukraine.
Aid for Ukraine
The package includes $57 billion in military aid for Ukraine, as well as humanitarian relief for Palestinians in Gaza. The aid is expected to help Ukraine repel Russia’s brutal invasion, which has caused significant damage to the country’s infrastructure and morale. The first tranche of aid, which includes air defense capabilities, artillery rounds, armored vehicles, and other weapons, is expected to begin shipping in the next few hours.
Long-Term Challenges
However, it remains uncertain if Ukraine – after months of losses in Eastern Ukraine and sustaining massive damage to its infrastructure – can make enough progress to sustain American political support before burning through the latest influx of money. White House national security spokesman John Kirby said that “it’s not going in the Ukrainians’ favor in the Donbas, certainly not elsewhere in the country.” He added that “Mr Putin thinks he can play for time. So we’ve got to try to make up some of that time.”
Other Provisions
The bill also includes a surge of humanitarian relief for Palestinians in Gaza suffering as the Israel-Hamas war continues. Biden said Israel must ensure the humanitarian aid for Palestinians in the bill reaches Gaza “without delay.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson delayed a vote on the supplemental aid package for months as members of his party’s far right wing, including Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Thomas Massie of Kentucky, threatened to move to oust him if he allowed a vote to send more assistance to Ukraine. Those threats persist. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell suggested his fellow Republicans’ holding up the funding could have a lasting impact on Ukraine’s hopes of winning the war. He said, “Make no mistake: Delay in providing Ukraine the weapons to defend itself has strained the prospects of defeating Russian aggression. Dithering and hesitation have compounded the challenges we face.”
