Senate Approves $95 Billion Foreign Aid Package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan; Biden signs into law: US: Business Times

The US Senate has approved a long-delayed $95 billion foreign aid package to provide crucial aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, marking a major bipartisan victory after months of contentious debate. The package, which was approved by a vote of 79-18 on Tuesday evening, includes $61 billion for Ukraine, $26 billion for Israel and $8 billion for allies in the Indo-Pacific region, as well as humanitarian aid for Gaza, Sudan and Haiti. .

President Joe Biden said in a statement after the Senate passage that he expects to sign the legislation into law on Wednesday, allowing the US to start sending weapons and equipment to Ukraine this week. “Congress passed my legislation to strengthen our national security and send a message to the world about the power of American leadership: we stand firmly for democracy and freedom, and against tyranny and oppression,” Biden said.

The approval of the aid package comes at a critical time for Ukraine, which is struggling to fend off Russian forces along its 1,000km frontline as weapons have been reduced. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the final passage of the bill, stressing that Ukraine’s long-range capabilities, artillery and air defense are crucial to restoring peace.

The Senate’s passage of the package marks a significant shift in the Republican Party’s position on foreign aid, with 31 Republicans joining 48 Democrats to pass the legislation — nine more than supported the aid package when the Senate passed it last discussed in February. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a strong supporter of aid to Ukraine, expressed regret over the delay but believes progress has been made in countering isolationist tendencies within his party.

“I think we’ve put the isolationist movement behind us,” McConnell said. “I’ve noticed how uncomfortable its proponents are when you call them isolationists. I think we have made some progress and I think it should continue.”

The passage of the aid package faced significant opposition from a coalition of Republican hardliners who were increasingly opposed to sending more resources abroad without addressing domestic issues like immigration. However, pressure on lawmakers to provide aid to overseas allies increased after Iran’s unprecedented attacks on Israel earlier this month and as Russian forces continue to make offensive gains in Ukraine.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, who once opposed more aid to Ukraine, won bipartisan praise for his reversal on the issue, with Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer praising him for enormous political pressure took advantage of this opportunity.

Pending passage of the bill, the Biden administration has already prepared a military aid package of around $1 billion for Ukraine, with the first shipment expected to arrive within days of approval. The package will include much-needed artillery rounds, air defense ammunition and armored vehicles drawn from existing US stockpiles under the Presidential Drawing Authority (PDA).

The aid package also includes legislation to ban the popular video-sharing app TikTok unless it spins off its Chinese parent company, as well as provisions to impose sanctions on Russia, China and Iran, and to seize Russian assets to help Ukraine help in the reconstruction of the war. injury.

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