In a decisive move, the US Senate voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to approve a $95.3 billion aid package designated for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. The bill now awaits President Biden’s signature, concluding months of uncertainty regarding US support for Kyiv in its struggle against Russian aggression.
The bipartisan support for the measure was evident in the resounding vote of 79 to 18, mirroring the House’s earlier passage. Despite facing obstacles from right-wing opposition, the Senate’s action marks a victory for President Biden, who emphasized the urgency of prompt legislative action.
Within the Senate, four bills were consolidated into one comprehensive package. The largest component provides $61 billion in critical funding for Ukraine, while the second allocates $26 billion for Israel and humanitarian assistance in global conflict zones. Additionally, $8.12 billion is specified to “counter communist China” in the Indo-Pacific region. A fourth bill, added by the House last week, includes potential measures such as a ban on the Chinese-controlled social media app TikTok, facilitation of seized Russian assets’ transfer to Ukraine, and new sanctions on Iran.
President Biden has pledged to sign the measure into law promptly upon its arrival at his desk. His administration is already preparing a $1 billion military aid package for Ukraine, the initial installment to be drawn from the approved bill.
Senate leaders from both Democratic and Republican parties expressed confidence that Congress had reached a turning point in conveying to Russian President Vladimir Putin and other foreign adversaries that Washington’s support for Ukraine and other foreign partners will continue. “This is an inflection point in history,” stated Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in the Senate, emphasizing that Western democracy “perhaps faced its greatest threat since the end of the Cold War.”
The aid package could potentially represent the final approved aid for Ukraine until after the November elections, which will involve contests for the White House, House of Representatives, and one-third of the Senate. Much of the opposition to the security assistance in both chambers has stemmed from Republicans closely aligned with former US President Donald Trump, who has expressed skepticism about Ukraine aid and prioritized “America First” policies as he seeks a second term.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, a staunch advocate for assisting Ukraine, conveyed regret over the delay, largely attributed to objections from hardline Republicans against adding to the $113 billion Washington had already authorized for Kyiv since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. “I think we’ve turned the corner on the isolationist movement,” McConnell asserted in a news conference.
A portion of the allocated funds for Ukraine, amounting to $10 billion in economic support, will come in the form of a loan, as had been suggested by Trump. However, the bill empowers the president to forgive the loan starting in 2026.
Analysts believe the influx of weapons should enhance Kyiv’s ability to prevent a major breakthrough by Russian forces in the east, although the aid would have been more effective if provided closer to when Biden initially requested it last year. The impact of the funding for Israel on the ongoing Gaza conflict remains uncertain. Israel has historically received billions of dollars in annual US security assistance, but has recently experienced its first direct aerial attack by Iran. Supporters of the aid hope that the humanitarian assistance will benefit Palestinians in Gaza, which has been severely affected by Israel’s campaign against Hamas in retaliation for attacks that claimed 1,200 lives on October 7th. Gaza health authorities estimate that the campaign has resulted in the deaths of more than 34,000 civilians in the Palestinian enclave.
This marks the second time this year that the Democratic-led Senate has approved security assistance for Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific. The last bill, passed over two months ago, garnered 70% support in the 100-member chamber from both Republicans and Democrats. However, leaders of the Republican-controlled House withheld a vote on the foreign aid until last week.
The progress of the legislation has been closely monitored by industry, with US defense firms vying for major contracts to supply equipment to Ukraine and other US partners. The House approved the Ukraine funding by a margin of 311-112, with all反对votes coming from Republicans, many of whom vehemently opposed further assistance for Kyiv. Only 101 Republicans voted in favor, forcing Speaker Mike Johnson to rely on Democratic support and prompting calls for his removal as House leader. Nevertheless, the House departed Washington for a week-long recess without initiating a vote to remove Johnson.
