The US Senate has approved a foreign aid package worth $95 billion (£76 billion), allocating substantial military support to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.
This bill, expected to be signed into law by President Joe Biden on Wednesday, aims to strengthen the defense capabilities of these nations.
The Senate’s approval followed a vote in the US House of Representatives on Saturday.
With a bipartisan vote of 79-18, the Senate endorsed $61 billion in military aid for Ukraine, signaling that the Pentagon could begin delivering supplies “within days.”
President Biden praised the bill, stating that this “critical legislation will make our nation and world more secure as we support our friends who are defending themselves against terrorists like Hamas and tyrants like [Russian President Vladimir] Putin.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer emphasized the significance of the bill’s approval, remarking, “After more than six months of hard work and many twists and turns in the road, America sends a message to the entire world: we will not turn our back on you.”
This aid package builds on a similar proposal from February, which faced resistance from a conservative faction in the House of Representatives that opposed continued support for Ukraine.
However, in a rare display of bipartisan unity, Democrats and Republicans in the House overcame this opposition by agreeing to a broader legislative package.
Along with the military aid, the bill includes measures to confiscate Russian assets held by Western banks, impose additional sanctions on Russia, Iran, and China, and implement provisions that could lead to a nationwide ban on TikTok.
The aid package arrives at a critical time for Ukraine, which has been grappling with ammunition shortages and ongoing air defense challenges.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the US’s commitment, saying it “reinforces America’s role as a beacon of democracy and leader of the free world.”
The latest drone and missile strikes in Ukraine’s second city, Kharkiv, underscore the urgency of the aid.
Despite the broad support, the bill faced opposition from some Senate Republicans and two Democratic senators.
Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville argued, “Pouring more money into Ukraine’s coffers will only prolong the conflict and lead to more loss of life.”
He, along with others, criticized the lack of a clear definition of victory in Ukraine. Independent Senator Bernie Sanders also voted against the bill, objecting to new offensive weapons for Israel.
The package extends beyond Ukraine and Israel to include Taiwan, a self-governing island that China claims as its territory.
The Chinese government expressed disapproval of the aid for Taiwan, stating that it violates the “one-China principle” and sends a “wrong signal” to pro-independence forces on the island.
A significant provision in the aid package addresses the fate of TikTok in the US.
The bill mandates that TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, sell its US-based operations within nine months, or face a nationwide ban.
This aspect of the bill garnered bipartisan support, reflecting concerns that the Chinese government could access US user data through ByteDance.
As the legislation moves forward, it marks a crucial step in the US’s foreign policy and national security strategy, with significant implications for international alliances and geopolitical stability.
The Senate Approves Bill To Potentially Ban TikTok In The US