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US House passes $95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan

By Selin Atay
Apr 20, 2024 10:22 PM

US House passes bill that provides $60.84 billion for Ukraine, $26 billion for Israel and $8.12 billion for the Indo-Pacific, including Taiwan

The U.S. House of Representatives, on Saturday, with broad bipartisan support, passed a $95 billion legislative package providing security assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, over bitter objections from Republican hardliners.

The unusual four-bill package also includes a measure that includes a threat to ban the Chinese-owned social media app TikTok and the potential transfer of seized Russian assets to Ukraine.

The legislation now proceeds to the Democratic-majority Senate, which passed a similar measure more than two months ago. U.S. leaders, from Democratic President Joe Biden to top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell, had been urging embattled Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson to bring it up for a vote.

U.S. House of Representatives votes on $95 billion Ukraine-Israel package at Capitol Hill in Washington
House Speaker Mike Johnson speaks to members of the media at the Capitol building, April 20, 2024

“The passage of this legislation sends a strong message of support to our allies,” said Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican.

The Senate is expected to pass the measure next week, sending it to Biden to sign into law.

The bills provide $60.84 billion to address the conflict in Ukraine, including $23 billion to replenish U.S. weapons, stocks and facilities; $26 billion for Israel, including $9.1 billion for humanitarian needs, and $8.12 billion for the Indo-Pacific, including Taiwan.

‘It comes at a moment of grave urgency’,  Biden says

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy expressed his thanks, saying U.S. lawmakers moved to keep “history on the right track.”
 
“It comes at a moment of grave urgency, with Israel facing unprecedented attacks from Iran and Ukraine under continued bombardment from Russia,” U.S. President Biden stated.
 
The vote on passage of the Ukraine funding was 311-112. However, 112 Republicans opposed the legislation, with only 101 in support.

Strong objections from Republican hardliners

Meanwhile, the House’s actions during a rare Saturday session put on display some cracks in what generally is solid support for Israel within Congress. Recent months have seen progressive Democrats express anger with Israel’s government and its conduct of the war in Gaza.

But Saturday’s vote, in which the Israel aid was passed 366-58, had 37 Democrats and 21 Republicans in opposition.

Some hardline Republicans voicing strong opposition to further Ukraine aid argued the United States can ill afford it given its rising $34 trillion national debt.

Representative Bob Good, chair of the hardline House Freedom Caucus, told reporters on Friday that the bills represent a “slide down into the abyss of greater fiscal crisis and America-last policies that reflect Biden and (Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck) Schumer and (House Democratic leader Hakeem) Jeffries, and don’t reflect the American people.”
Source: Newsroom
 
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Last Updated:  May 28, 2024 4:23 PM