Today, the U.S. House of Representatives, with broad bipartisan support, passed a $95 billion package of bills, including provisions for providing security assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. The decision was made despite objections from Republicans and some odd amendments.
Now the document goes to the Senate, where Democrats hold the majority and passed a similar bill just over two months ago. It is expected that the Senate will consider this bill next week, and after approval, it will be sent to U.S. President Joe Biden for signature. About a dozen Democratic lawmakers waved small Ukrainian flags when it became clear that part of the bill concerning aid to Ukraine was nearing passage.
Reminder, this week, the Speaker of the House, Republican Mike Johnson, decided to ignore threats of resignation from radical party members and proposed a vote on a bill that includes about $60 billion in aid for Ukraine.
The unusual package of four bills also includes funding for Israel, security assistance for Taiwan and allies in the Indo-Pacific region, as well as measures including sanctions, the threat of banning TikTok, and the potential transfer of seized Russian assets to Ukraine. “The world is watching what Congress is doing,” the White House said in a recent statement. “Passing this bill will send a powerful signal of American leadership at a critical moment. The administration urges both chambers of Congress to send this package of additional funding to the president’s desk as soon as possible.”
https://twitter.com/LizBreuker/status/1781744630414856397
The package of bills includes $60.84 billion in aid to Ukraine, including $23 billion for replenishing American armaments, supplies, and facilities. Another $26 billion is earmarked for Israel, including $9.1 billion for humanitarian needs. Additionally, $8.12 billion is allocated for the Indo-Pacific region.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky thanked lawmakers for this decision. “I am grateful to the United States House of Representatives, both parties, and Speaker Mike Johnson personally for the decision that preserves the right course of history,” reads a statement on Volodymyr Zelensky’s official Twitter account. “Democracy and freedom will always matter in the world and will never be defeated as long as America helps to defend them.”
I am grateful to the United States House of Representatives, both parties, and personally Speaker Mike Johnson for the decision that keeps history on the right track.
Democracy and freedom will always have global significance and will never fail as long as America helps to…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 20, 2024
“The life-saving bill on aid from the United States, passed today by the House of Representatives, will help prevent the spread of war, save thousands upon thousands of lives, and make both our nations stronger,” he added.
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