NewsUS aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan passed by Senate

US aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan passed by Senate

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 11: The U.S. Capitol building is seen on February 11, 2024 in Washington, DC. The Senate is convening for a rare Sunday session to vote on a supplementary spending bill that includes military aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan without addressing border security after Republicans in the House abandoned an agreement that they initially agreed to. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

Images source: © GETTY | Samuel Corum

7:42 AM EST, February 13, 2024

The Democratic-led U.S. Senate on Tuesday passed a $95.34 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, amid growing doubts about the legislation's fate in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives - reports Reuters.

Voting in Senate

It took more than 60 votes out of a possible 100 for the bill to pass. More than a dozen Republican senators and almost all Democratic Party senators supported the bill. The law was passed with 70 votes in favor and 29 against. The bill will now go to the House of Representatives. If passed by it, it will reach the desk of the president Joe Biden.

- It's certainly been years, perhaps decades, since the Senate has passed a bill that so greatly impacts not just our national security, not just the security of our allies, but the security of western democracy - Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said, as report Reuters.

Long-term pressure

For several months, President Joe Biden has been pressing Congress to expedite the provision of new assistance to Ukraine and U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific region, including Taiwan. Following the attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7, he also sought additional funding for this U.S. ally, as well as humanitarian aid for the Palestinian people in Gaza.

According to Reuters, the legislation includes $61 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion for Israel in its war against Hamas and $4.83 billion to support partners in the Indo-Pacific, including Taiwan, and deter aggression by China. It would also provide $9.15 billion in humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza and the West Bank, Ukraine and other conflict zones around the globe.

Republicans have long insisted that discussions on foreign aid be linked with measures to address the migrant crisis at the US-Mexico border. However, a bipartisan deal concerning the border was largely dismissed by Senate Republicans following objections from Donald Trump. The former president has argued that assistance to U.S. allies should be provided as loans rather than grants. Consequently, provisions related to border issues were stripped from the legislation last week, leaving the bill focused solely on foreign financial assistance.

Source: Reuters