The Senate successfully passed a bipartisan package on Tuesday night, ensuring the delivery of $95 billion in foreign aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. This achievement comes after months of dedicated efforts.
The package received approval with a vote of 79-18.
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Thirty-one Republicans, along with 48 Democrats, came together to successfully pass the legislation. This marks an increase of nine Republican supporters compared to when the Senate last considered the aid package in February. While the majority of Democrats voted in favor, Senators Jeff Merkley, Peter Welch, and Bernie Sanders, an independent, opposed the legislation, joined by 15 Republicans.
Four bills that received bipartisan support were passed in the House over the weekend as part of the legislation.
The package includes approximately $26 billion in funding for Israel, which is currently engaged in conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Additionally, it provides $61 billion for Ukraine and $8 billion for allies in the Indo-Pacific region. Another bill within the package proposes a ban on TikTok in the U.S. if its Chinese parent company fails to sell it. This bill also includes sanctions on Russia, China, and Iran, as well as the seizure of Russian assets to aid in Ukraine’s recovery from the damage caused by the war.
The package is now on its way to President Joe Biden’s desk. In a statement, he expressed his intention to sign it on Wednesday.
In a statement, President Biden expressed his gratitude for the bipartisan majority in Congress who came together to address the pressing issues at hand. He emphasized that the passage of his legislation not only strengthens national security but also sends a powerful message to the world. This message asserts America’s unwavering commitment to democracy, freedom, and its firm stance against tyranny and oppression.
Biden emphasized the urgency for ally countries in need of aid to receive the funds promptly.
The urgency is real. Ukraine is under constant bombardment from Russia. Israel has recently experienced unprecedented attacks from Iran. There are refugees and individuals affected by conflicts and natural disasters in various parts of the world, including Gaza, Sudan, and Haiti. Furthermore, our partners in the Indo-Pacific region are in desperate need of security and stability.
During a late-night press conference following the vote, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed his enthusiasm and celebrated the bipartisan success of the foreign aid package passage.
Chuck Schumer expressed his pride in the Senate’s achievement, stating, “It’s not every day you can say you made the world truly a better place, but I think the Senate can say that tonight, and I am very proud of what has happened.”
“America is sending a powerful message to the entire world: we will never turn our back on you. We are standing firmly with our allies and cautioning our adversaries not to underestimate us. We are making it clear to the world that we are committed to defending democracy and preserving our way of life. According to Schumer, this national security bill is a crucial step taken by Congress to safeguard America’s security as well as the security of western democracy.”
Schumer expressed his appreciation for his colleagues who collaborated in a bipartisan manner to successfully pass the bill. He particularly commended Minority Leader Mitch McConnell for his contribution.
According to Schumer, he was aware of the correct course of action and remained steadfast in his decision.
In a comprehensive press conference following a prior procedural vote on the package, McConnell expressed his belief that his party is making significant strides in overcoming the trends of isolationism he has long been opposed to. While acknowledging that the isolationist inclination within his party has not completely disappeared, he remains optimistic about the progress that has been achieved.
According to McConnell, he believes that there is a trend in the direction that he personally supports. This trend involves America taking on its leadership role in the world and fulfilling its responsibilities.
Considering the groundswell of support from the GOP, he hailed it as a victory.
“I believe we have reached a turning point in this debate,” he stated confidently. He further emphasized, “It is evident that the isolationist movement is losing its ground. It is interesting to observe how proponents of this ideology become uneasy when labeled as isolationists. We have made significant strides in our efforts, and there is a need to sustain this momentum.”
What’s next?
President Biden announced that aid will be promptly delivered to certain ally countries in the coming days.
The Biden administration had prepared a military assistance package worth approximately $1 billion for Ukraine in anticipation of the bill’s passage. According to a U.S. official, the first shipment is expected to arrive within days of approval.
The official stated that the package will consist of crucial artillery rounds, air defense ammunition, and armored vehicles. These much-needed weapons and equipment will be sourced from the existing U.S. stockpiles, utilizing the presidential drawdown authority (PDA).
According to Gen. Christopher Cavoli from U.S. European Command, the Russian side is currently outshooting the Ukrainians by a ratio of five to one in terms of artillery shells fired. This means that the Russians are firing five times as many shells as the Ukrainians are able to fire back. Gen. Cavoli also warns that this ratio is expected to increase to 10 to one within a matter of weeks, emphasizing that this escalation is not a long-term projection but rather a near-future concern.
Cavoli believes that the outcome of the war could be at stake.
He emphasized the criticality of this moment, stating that the support for Ukraine must persist to prevent its potential loss.
In the fall, Biden initially sought additional aid for Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific. A $95 billion bill was approved by the Senate in February. However, the bill encountered delays in the House due to opposition from a group of Republican hard-liners who believed that more resources should be allocated to domestic concerns such as immigration rather than being sent overseas.
Speaker Mike Johnson’s stance on Ukraine aid has undergone a transformation, moving from advocating for alterations to border and immigration policies to collaborating with Democrats in order to pass the most recent legislation.
GOP leaders, including Johnson, expressed similar concerns and advocated for significant revisions to immigration policy. However, a comprehensive Senate agreement that sought to link foreign aid to these changes was met with opposition from former President Donald Trump and deemed inadequate by conservatives.
Lawmakers faced mounting pressure to provide assistance to international allies following Iran’s recent attacks on Israel in response to a strike on an Iranian consular complex in Syria. Additionally, concerns grew as Russian forces continued to make offensive gains.
Last week, Speaker Johnson, who previously had reservations about providing additional aid to Ukraine, expressed his willingness to stand firm on this matter, even if it meant putting his job on the line. This declaration came amidst concerns of potential removal from office by fellow Republican Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene, Thomas Massie, and Paul Gosar.
Johnson’s decision to reverse the situation garnered praise from politicians across party lines.
“He attempted to fulfill the demands of the Freedom Caucus, but it was clear that his approach would not gain traction in the Senate or the White House,” remarked Republican Rep. Michael McCaul, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, during an appearance on ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday. “Ultimately, we were running out of time, and Ukraine’s stability was at stake.”
According to McCaul, Johnson experienced a significant change regarding the issue.
Schumer went on to praise Johnson after the procedural votes were passed.
“I express my gratitude to Speaker Johnson, who, in his own words, acknowledged the need to do what is right despite facing immense political pressure,” Schumer stated.
