The Senate has unanimously passed a $95 billion war aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden for his signature and initiating the process of providing crucial support to these nations facing geopolitical challenges and threats.
The bill, which was passed by a decisive vote of 79-18 on Tuesday night after receiving approval from the House of Representatives on Saturday, is expected to be swiftly signed into law by President Biden. The U.S. government can then begin the process of disbursing weapons and other aid to Ukraine, which is currently engaged in a fierce conflict with Russia and in dire need of assistance to maintain its defensive capabilities.
The package allocates $61 billion for Ukraine, recognizing the critical need for firepower and support as the country valiantly defends its sovereignty against Russian aggression. It also provides $26 billion in wartime assistance to Israel, including humanitarian aid for citizens of Gaza, and $8 billion to counter Chinese threats in Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific region.
U.S. officials have indicated that approximately $1 billion of the aid could be released promptly, with the remainder being distributed in the coming weeks. Notably, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) emphasized the significance of this aid, stating that if Congress had not approved it, “America would have paid a price economically, politically, militarily.” He added, “Very few things we have done have risen to this level of historic importance.”
Schumer reaffirmed the Senate’s commitment to supporting U.S. allies, declaring, “We will stand with you.” This sentiment was echoed by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who, along with Schumer, made the passage of this legislation a top priority.
McConnell highlighted the potential consequences of inaction, stating that leaving Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aggression unchecked could have dire implications for the United States and its global partners.
The House approved the package in four separate votes on Saturday, with the Ukraine portion passing by a margin of 311-112. The $61 billion allocated to Ukraine is particularly critical as the war-torn country faces a desperate need for new firepower and support. Russian President Vladimir Putin has intensified attacks, and Ukrainian soldiers have faced challenges in countering Russia’s advances and regaining lost territory.
President Biden has assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that the U.S. will swiftly provide the much-needed air defense weaponry once the legislation is enacted. Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude, stating that the package will significantly strengthen Ukraine’s air defense, long-range, and artillery capabilities.
To garner additional support, House Republicans included a provision in the foreign aid package that could potentially ban the social media app TikTok in the U.S. if its Chinese owners fail to divest their stake within a year. This legislation received bipartisan support in both chambers.
The TikTok bill was one of several amendments made by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to the package initially passed by the Senate in February. Other additions include a stipulation that $9 billion of the economic assistance to Ukraine is in the form of “forgivable loans”; provisions allowing the U.S. to seize frozen Russian central bank assets to help rebuild Ukraine; and bills imposing sanctions on Iran, Russia, China, and criminal organizations involved in fentanyl trafficking.
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a long-time supporter of military intervention, initially voted against the foreign aid package in February due to its lack of provisions to address border migration. However, he reversed his position, citing the broader implications of not supporting Ukraine and the potential for the conflict to spread beyond its current borders.
Despite broad congressional support for the package since President Biden’s initial request last summer, it faced significant opposition from a growing number of conservatives who question U.S. involvement in foreign wars and prioritize addressing migration at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Senator J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), a close ally of former President Donald Trump, acknowledged the strong support for funding Ukraine’s defense but expressed concern about the growing opposition among Republicans. He suggested that the argument for reducing U.S. involvement in foreign affairs is gaining traction within the party.
The widening rift within the GOP between those skeptical of the aid and traditional “Reagan Republicans” who strongly support it could have significant implications for the careers of top Republican leaders. McConnell, who has made Ukraine aid a top priority, has indicated his willingness to step down from leadership due to his distance from many in his conference on this issue and others.
House Speaker Johnson, who has faced threats of ouster after a majority of Republicans voted against the Ukraine aid, expressed confidence in the historical significance of their actions. He stated, “We did our work here, and I think history will judge it well.”
Opposition to the package in the Senate, as in the House, was primarily driven by left-wing senators who oppose aiding Israel due to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s actions in Gaza, which have resulted in civilian casualties. Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) were among those who voted against the package.
Senator Sanders emphasized the importance of ending U.S. complicity in the conflict and promoting a peaceful resolution.
