WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – President Joe Biden’s signature on the $95 billion national security package Wednesday is already sending more weapons to Ukraine.
“We need to move fast, and we are,” President Biden said after signing the measure the Senate passed Tuesday night. “I find this amazing,” the president added. “There are reports of cheers breaking out in the trenches.”
Congress approved more than $60 billion in the package for Ukraine. The first shipment includes air defense capabilities, artillery rounds and armored vehicles. President Biden said the funding supports jobs at home.
“Patriot missiles made in Arizona, javelins made in Alabama, artillery shells made in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas,” he said.
The president said it also keeps American troops out of the conflict.
“To stop Putin from drawing the United States into a war in Europe and into the future,” he said.
Republicans made that same argument to win over GOP holdouts who opposed additional funding for Ukraine.
“We make America stronger when our allies know they can count on our promises,” said Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.). That’s why Wicker also supports the package’s funding for Israel, about $26 billion.
Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) stressed it includes vital humanitarian relief for millions of Palestinians.
“We have to bring the conflict in Gaza to an end,” Warner said.
President Biden called on Israel to act.
“Israel must make sure all of this aid reaches the Palestinians in Gaza without delay,” he said.
The package also includes a measure to force the sale of TikTok. The company’s CEO promised Wednesday to fight the potential ban in court.
