Senate sends sweeping foreign aid package to Biden’s desk
The Senate will send President Biden the House-passed, sweeping foreign aid package, which includes tens billions of dollars in aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, as well as an eventual ban on TikTok.
Why it matters: Eighteen months after Biden requested emergency funding of tens or billions and four months after he said he would not “walk away” from Ukraine, he can fulfill his promise to U.S. Allies.
The bill was passed by the Senate with a vote of 79 to 18.
The bill was defeated by 15 Republicans.
|
Nine Republicans changed their vote from no to yes after voting against the package of foreign aid that was passed by the Senate in February.
Zoom out: This process has revealed some of the biggest rifts between the Republican Party and the Democratic Party, and a shift in the way leaders see the U.S. role on the global stage.
The last few months have been filled with grueling congressional negotiations, despite the ongoing crises in Gaza, Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific region.
Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader (R-Ky.), said on the Senate floor Tuesday morning: “So much hesitation and shortsightedness has delayed this moment are based on pure fiction.” “I do not enjoy rebutting misguided fantasy.”
Rare bipartisan votes by both chambers delivered the long delayed aid.
According to the numbers, the bill includes $61 billion of aid for Ukraine, $26 for Israel and Palestinians and $8.12 for Taiwan and Indo-Pacific.
Israel’s portion includes roughly $9.5 billion of humanitarian aid for Ukraine and Gaza, a measure that was insisted upon by Democrats.
The bill was drafted at the request of Republicans to structure some Ukraine aid as a repaid loan. The bill will also allow the U.S. government to seize Russian assets that have been frozen to aid Ukraine.
This version of bill includes a possible ban on TikTok, if Bytedance, a Chinese company that owns the app, does not divest. The company has up to one year to comply.
What to watch for: Biden assured Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky that he would move quickly to ship air defense weapons once the Senate approved the bill.
Biden stated in a press release that he will sign the bill as law as soon it reaches his desk, which is Wednesday.
The Ukrainian military desperately needed the logistical support of the States.
Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told Axios that “this spring and summer, [Ukraine] is going to regain momentum.” He cited the provision of ATACMS long-range missiles.
What they are saying: Biden stated that he would sign the bill urgently so that the U.S. can begin sending weapons to Ukraine by this week.
He said: “The need for urgent action is for Ukraine to face unrelenting Russian bombardment; for Israel which has just been subjected to unprecedented Iranian attacks; for the refugees and those affected by conflicts and disasters in other parts of the world such as Gaza, Sudan and Haiti, and for our Indo-Pacific partners who are seeking stability and security.”
Zelensky thanked Senate leaders, including Biden, in a message to X. He said: “Ukraine’s long-range capability, artillery and air defense, are crucial tools for restoring peace sooner.”
The Congressional leadership was shaken by the high-stakes wranglings and policy writing over the last several months.
McConnell announced that he was stepping down as leader of the party, and vowed then to combat the growing isolationist trend in his own party — citing the Ukraine as the most recent example.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La. ) The job of House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) could be at risk. He had to balance the demands for border security and the political realities that would come with getting any bill through the Senate.
Chuck Schumer, the Senate Majority leader (D-N.Y.), who is the highest ranking Jewish elected official in the U.S. has criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, he also faces growing concerns within his own party about Israel’s actions following the deadly attack on Gaza by Hamas.
