The U.S. Senate has passed a long-delayed $95 billion foreign aid package to provide crucial assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, marking a significant bipartisan victory after months of contentious debate. The package, approved by a vote of 79-18 on Tuesday night, includes $61 billion for Ukraine, $26 billion for Israel, and $8 billion for allies in the Indo-Pacific region, as well as humanitarian aid for Gaza, Sudan, and Haiti.
President Joe Biden, in a statement following the Senate's approval, said he expects to sign the legislation into law on Wednesday, allowing the U.S. to begin sending weapons and equipment to Ukraine this week. "Congress has passed my legislation to strengthen our national security and send a message to the world about the power of American leadership: we stand resolutely for democracy and freedom, and against tyranny and oppression," Biden said.
The passage of the aid package comes at a critical juncture for Ukraine, which has been struggling to fend off Russian forces along its 1,000km front line as weapons have dwindled. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the final passage of the bill, emphasizing that Ukraine's long-range capabilities, artillery, and air defense are crucial for restoring peace.
The Senate's approval of the package marks a significant shift in the Republican Party's stance on foreign aid, with 31 Republicans joining 48 Democrats to pass the legislation - nine more than supported the aid package when the Senate last considered it in February. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a strong supporter of assistance for Ukraine, expressed regret about the delay but believes progress has been made in countering isolationist tendencies within his party.
"I think we've turned the corner on the isolationist movement," McConnell said. "I've noticed how uncomfortable proponents of that are when you call them isolationists. I think we've made some progress and I think it's going to have to continue."
The passage of the aid package faced significant opposition from a coalition of Republican hard-liners who had grown opposed to sending more resources overseas without addressing domestic issues like immigration. However, pressure increased on lawmakers to pass aid to overseas allies after Iran's unprecedented attacks on Israel earlier this month and as Russian forces continue to make offensive gains in Ukraine.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, once opposed to more aid for Ukraine, earned bipartisan praise for his reversal on the issue, with Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer commending him for rising to the occasion despite enormous political pressure.
In anticipation of the bill's passage, the Biden administration has already prepared a roughly $1 billion military assistance package for Ukraine, with the first shipment set to arrive within days of approval. The package will include desperately needed artillery rounds, air defense ammunition, and armored vehicles, drawn from existing U.S. stockpiles under presidential drawdown authority (PDA).
The aid package also includes legislation to ban the popular video-sharing app TikTok unless it divests from its Chinese parent company, as well as provisions to impose sanctions on Russia, China, and Iran, and seize Russian assets to help Ukraine rebuild from the war's damage.
