Staff Reports
Congress was on the verge of giving the green light to a large foreign aid package on Tuesday. This news marks a significant victory for President Biden and demonstrates America’s strong support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
Senate vote gathers up $95 billion to ship to war zones around the world – https://t.co/hp9p911Gyl – @washtimes @AlexMillerTimes
— S.A. Miller (@samillertimes) April 24, 2024
Despite facing strong opposition from House Republicans, the bill made a surprising comeback and swiftly moved through the Senate after receiving approval from the House on Saturday.
The key to the bill’s turnaround was House Speaker Mike Johnson, who successfully shepherded the package through the House. Initially skeptical of providing aid to Ukraine, Speaker Johnson convinced enough of his party to support the bill by making adjustments such as turning some of the aid into a loan and proposing to use seized Russian assets to cover part of the costs.
The aid package includes substantial funding for Ukraine, Israel, and the Pacific region, particularly Taiwan, to address Chinese aggression. Additionally, the bills contain sanctions against Iran, Russia, and China, as well as a requirement for the parent company of TikTok to sell the popular social media platform within a year or face a ban in the U.S.
The Biden administration had initially proposed the aid package in October, emphasizing the urgency of providing support to Ukraine by the end of the year. Despite missing that deadline due to negotiations over border security, the package ultimately gained approval.
Supporters of the aid package highlight the benefits for the U.S., such as replenishing stockpiles with advanced weaponry and enabling surplus materials to assist Ukraine in resisting the Russian offensive.
On the other hand, some senators expressed concerns about the substantial cost of the aid package, especially amid financial challenges faced by many Americans.
Despite the bill’s passage, some Republican lawmakers criticized the outcome as a concession to President Biden’s policy agenda. They challenged the decision to prioritize foreign aid while domestic concerns, such as border security, remained unresolved.
