The U.S. Senate approved billions of dollars in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan after months of delay, with lawmakers lauding the bipartisan effort in passing the four-bills-in-one package that also clears the way for a potential TikTok ban. President Biden has signed the bill into law.

Washington

Russian forces have invaded Ukraine from land, air and sea with strikes causing widespread damage. Global leaders have condemned the move and imposed sanctions.

Ukraine Invasion

Israel and Iran have agreed a ceasefire after a twelve day conflict. Meanwhile, Israel strikes in Gaza continue with the humanitarian crisis deepening.

Middle East Conflict

The U.S. Senate has recently approved a significant foreign aid package totaling $95 billion designated for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and other initiatives after a considerable period of legislative delay. This aid package, which is a combination of four bills, received substantial bipartisan support, coming to a decisive vote of 79 to 18 in favor.

The largest portion of the aid, amounting to $61 billion, is allocated to support Ukraine in its ongoing conflict against Russian advances. An additional $26 billion is earmarked for Israel, which along with the aid for Ukraine, also includes humanitarian assistance for civilians affected by conflict zones around the globe. A further $8 billion is designated to assist Taiwan and other countries in the Indo-Pacific region to counteract what has been referred to as communist China's influence. 

Another significant aspect of the legislative package is a bill aiming to potentially ban TikTok, the Chinese-owned social media platform. This addition was incorporated by the House of Representatives last week, further illustrating the complexity and expansive nature of the aid package.

This legislative achievement ends a prolonged stalemate, particularly noted in the House of Representatives, where the passage of the combo package was executed swiftly after the resolution of internal opposition. President Joe Biden has expressed his intent to sign the bill into law promptly, underscoring the federal government’s commitment to these strategic priorities.

Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and his Republican counterpart, Mitch McConnell, collectively highlighted the importance of this aid package. Schumer noted its significance in shaping the global balance of power and its profound implications for America's long-term security. McConnell, reflecting on the delay, emphasized the reassurance this bill provides regarding America’s global standing and the enduring strength of its democratic values.

The bipartisan support for the package was also framed as a response to skepticism from certain segments, primarily those advocating for America-first policies, echoing the views of former president Donald Trump regarding funding Ukraine. McConnell addressed this by conveying a belief that the passage of this bill signifies a departure from isolationist tendencies, with a noteworthy portion of the Ukraine aid structured as a loan—a compromise that aligns with some of Trump’s suggestions, despite the bill allowing for loan forgiveness beginning in 2026.



Biden signs $95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel

A sweeping foreign aid package cleared the final hurdle in the U.S. Congress with ease late on Tuesday to provide fresh funding to Ukraine and Israel after months of delay. The Senate approved the $95 billion package by a wide margin of 79 to 18 votes. It was a combination of four bills. $61 billion goes to defending Ukraine against Russian advances in its war. $26 billion is for Israel, as well as humanitarian aid for civilians in conflict zones around the world, while some $8 billion will help Taiwan and other countries in the Indo-Pacific, quote, counter communist China. A fourth bill was added to the package by the House of Representatives last week to move on potentially banning the Chinese-owned social media app TikTok. Members of the House passed the combo package on Saturday after Republicans there abruptly ended a months-long stalemate. President Joe Biden has promised to sign it into law as soon as it reaches his desk. Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called Tuesday's vote an inflection point in history. The conflicts we see right now in Europe, in the Middle East, and the tensions of the Indo-Pacific will go a long way in shaping the balance of power between democracy and autocracy in the decades to come. And the consequences for America's long-term security will be profound. His Republican counterpart, Mitch McConnell, expressed regret about the delay. For months, our friends have watched to see whether America still had the strength that won the Cold War or the resolve that has underpinned peace and prosperity, literally, for decades. Our enemies have tested whether the arsenal of democracy is, in fact, built to endure. Well, tonight, the Senate will send a clear message. The two leaders applauded the bipartisan effort to finally get the package passed, after strong opposition, mostly from hard-line Republicans with close ties to Donald Trump. The former president has been skeptical of funding Ukraine as he pushes America-first policies. McConnell later told a news conference he believes Congress has turned the corner on the isolationist movement. About $10 billion of the Ukraine money comes in the form of a loan, which Trump had suggested, though this bill lets the president forgive the loan starting in 2026.

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Ukraine Invasion

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